My latest obsession

I accept that I have slight tendencies toward OCD. It's a gift and a curse. The gift aspect is that I'm very organized and am a good team worker. The curse is that when I become obsessed with something I tune out the rest of the world...my kids....my husband....my life. My lastest obsession is MOPS. I belong to a group called Mothers of Preschoolers. It's a wonderful group and I have met amazing women through this group. Next year I will be on the leadership team, which is called steering. I'm so excited. However my OCD is kickin' in. It's not even May and I've already made a schedule for what crafts we are going to do. (Yes I'm the creative coordinator).

The gift of this particular obsession is I'm learning to trust in people other than myself.

I've always been told that my "friends" are people I can turn to in times of crisis but I never really believed it. Logically if these people say they would be there in times of need, they will right? Well until recently (last 3 years I would say) I've never really trusted that virtue in the people around me. I guess it's because I've never had a good self-esteem. Growing up I never felt like I was "good enough". In retrospect what the people in my life that were making me feel like that were trying to push me and make me do my best. As a child I just never felt that because as a child you don't have that kind of maturity.

So getting back to trusting others. I'm at a place in my life that I have people I trust my friendship heart with. I believe MOPS helped me with this. Now I'm back on steering and ready to plow forward with 100% of my being. The curse however is I'm staying up until all hours of the night trying to figure out a craft to do (even though I already have them all planned out). I guess I feel that even though I have it "set in stone" I can do better! I can find a better craft, a cheaper craft, a more inpiring craft.... it's all that pushing my parents did to do my best and not accept second place (even though THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH)

Motherhood....

This is a job for mommy... Both kids crying.... Erik fell and hurt himself and screamed at the top of his lungs which sent his sister into hysteria because she was so scared.

Not being Thankful!

Today we had some time to kill before going out to lunch with Phil today so we went over to St. Vincents. Erik loves playing with the toys and I like looking at what people have given away wondering what kind of story there is behind why something is at St. Vincents. Today the only thing I found worth anything was a small plastic case for Erik to put art supplies in. It was only $1. We get up to the counter and I realize I don't have any cash so I'm going to put it back. The cashier was nice enough to contribute .50 to match my .50 I had in my wallet. I was amazed that this woman took money out of her own purse to give so I could come home with a measly little art case. I say thank you and head out. On our way out Erik brings out the big lip because he "didn't get a toy". Like the child doesn't have enough toys at home anyway. I have a little talk about being thankful and he soon changes his mind that the art supply case is acceptable. It got me thinking about thankfulness and how he must not know what thankfulness is, have I not shown him how to be thankful. We always tell our kids "what do you say" when they are suppose to say those magic words "thank-you" but do we teach our children what thankfulness is. I'm sure most of us think we do, but I believe the best way to teach them is to show that we are thankful for what we have in our life instead of taking everything for granted. So my point is, I AM THANKFUL.....

for my life

for my family

for my friends

for my church

for my moms groups (MOMs and MOPS)

for my health

for my country

for my freedom

for my personal effects

I may not show it but I AM THANKFUL. If you are reading this post I AM THANKFUL for you being in my life. I may not be good at showing it and please call me on it if you are feeling under appreciated. I am oblivious to so many things in my life, I may not realize someone needs me until they say "I need you", know that I need you too and whatever I can do to show my thankfulness, please let me know. I want to raise my children to be thankful for everything in their life, not just the fun stuff. I am told that if you are were not shown something (like love) by your parents, then you don't know how to do that. I slightly agree but I think it's more laziness on your part to not be a better person than your parents. We all want to make it better for our children. Our parents wanted a better life for their children and so on... so let's make it a better place. We can start by showing thankfulness. This does not mean, I believe no one shows me thankfulness, all I'm saying is I need to show my thankfulness more.

We are getting ready to celebrate the biggest sacrifice of history. Jesus dying on the cross. Let's remember what He sacrificed for us and maybe showing thankfulness won't be so hard.

So as we enter in the Easter season, let me end my saying Thank-You to all of you in my life who have made me a better person and I hope to return the favor someday by being that great friend that you've been to me. God Bless you all and Happy Easter!

No mom.... I want to go in by myself...

this is what I heard out of my almost 5 year old today at pre-school. A few short months ago her begged me to walk him all the way to the door and now he is telling me to let him go. I believe God is preparing me to send him off to kindergarten next year. Last night when I couldn't sleep I felt the need to go see Erik sleeping. He was thrashing around in his bed which usually means he has to go to the bathroom. I sent him and when he came back I laid down with him for a few minutes. A memory of 5 years ago came to me. It was our first night home with Erik back in our old apartment. Phil and I were laying on the bed with Erik between us. We were so amazed by this little person that was created in my womb and now was a reality. Everyone tells you that "the days are long and the years are short". I realize I'm still in the beginning of those "years" but it's also already been a few years since that night when I was amazed at this little thing laying next to me on the bed. Now I look at him in amazement still and think what will happen in the future.
It's hard as a mom to have others judge your children. I always thought I'd be the one saying "no he needs more time or no he's not big enough for that yet" but when it comes from someone else... someone who doesn't really KNOW your child, someone who sees him a few hours a week it is almost like a drop kick into your gut. You are blown away to know that your child is not on par in some areas with other children his age or even younger. My first reaction was WHAT, you are crazy and then you start thinking that maybe they are right. I had a couple of people tell me to follow my gut. A mothers gut is an amazing thing. It tells you when your child is hurt, it tells you what to do in any situation and it never steers you wrong. Now that's not to say you may interpret that wrong because you want something that really shouldn't happen but my belief is if it's meant to happen than it will happen no matter what you do.
If you have children or grandchildren, cherish them because before you know it they will be grown and you will only have pictures and video's of them when they were at the innocence age!

Respect life...it's so fragile

I really don't understand people who are pro-choice. I know many of you out there reading this may be pro-choice but I don't understand how anyone could think that a baby is not worth keeping no matter what the situation. I recently had a niece born via emergency c-section because her heart rate skyrocketed and they didn't know why. It was a very traumatic experience for her parents and the rest of the family. Now that I have seen pictures of her and as I look at my own children (Sarah who is trying to type on the computer) I can't imagine life without children. I know I've never been in a situation where I was pregnant when I didn't want to be because guess what THEY KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT and how to prevent it. Now I'm not going to go into how to prevent babies because that I do believe is your own personal choice. However, once God has planted the seed so to speak, I believe it is your responsibility to nurture and grow that seed. You chose to take the steps to have the seed, so be an adult and take care of what God has entrusted to you. This doesn't mean you have to keep and raise this child. If you are not financially, emotionally or mature enough to raise the child, trust me there are many many people out there who are. Playing God by deciding who lives and who dies is not a human choice.
Where is this coming from, who knows. It's not like I just had someone tell me they got an abortion. Maybe because I saw what my brother and sister in law went through with their new daughter. I've had discussions with pro-choice people and their logic just doesn't make sense to me. Now I say pro-choice not pro-abortion because I don't like that word. 90% of pro-choice people are not pro-abortion. The only people in the world that are pro-abortion are those who perform them or those who have them. Just because someone believes it's your choice to have an abortion doesn't mean they think it's a good thing, now that being said it also doesn't mean they respect life because if they did it would mean they would do everything in their power to prevent people from doing it.
Like I said, I don't know where this is coming from but I guess because I look and my children, my nieces and nephews and wonder how anyone could not want to respect life.

Happy Birthday Sarah

February 18, 2008 started out very early. Around 3 am I woke up with contractions. I wasn't sure if they were real ones so I started timing them and sure enough they were regular, still very far apart but regular none the less. I tried to go back to sleep and it worked until around 6am. I woke my mom up (who had been here for 9 days waiting for our little lady) and told her today was the day. I wanted to labor at home, however with a 4 year old jumping on me and my dad asking "what is a contraction like?" in the middle of my contractions, when I thought my water had broken, I headed to the hospital. When I got there, I was lucky to get the best room on the floor with my own Jacuzzi tub. My water had not broken but I decided to stay because it was very peaceful. That was around 9am. By noon the doctor (on-call because mine was on vacation) came in and asked if I wanted my water broken, I said no because I wanted to go as natural as possible. By 3:30 the nurse checked me and my water still had not broken but she was coming regardless. The doc came in and asked me again, I said YES! After two pushes she was out. I got to pull her out and on to my chest. It was the most blessed moment of my life. Except for the fact that they took her way rather quickly. I was upset to say the least but then I realized she wasn't breathing so after a full minute of no noise (except me saying why isn't she crying) she made a noise. Everything was ok!

February 18, 2009-The day started out with Phil going to work at 6:30 because he had been awake since 2:30 am so decided to go to work early. I got the kids up, made them breakfast and got Erik off to preschool. On Wednesdays I walk with my friend Claire. I realized halfway through our walk it was Sarah's birthday. Shows you what kind of a mother I am. That is ok, we had a big bash for her on Valentines day with tons of family and friends. I will get pictures up on my facebook page and blog soon. My mom took the pictures and we coudn't download them off her camera so I will be bugging her daily for a cd before she heads off to Hawaii for 3 weeks.

I am starting to feel like a grownup. I have two kids, a house and a life outside my own. I am getting ready to send Erik to Kindergarten next year. It's weird to imagine what life will be like with Erik gone EVERY morning. My life seems to be flying by at mock speed. I don't know how to slow it down or even if I want to. I look at what others do with their lives and wonder how they do it and stay sain. I have friends with gardens, animals (besides their children), homeschooling, being on comitees and so many of them make everything from scratch and have fancy dinners. Also a lot of them have husbands that work through the dinner hour (I'm finding that I'm in the minority of wives with a husband that actually is at the dinner table every night).
I realize I need to count my blessings instead of my trials!
Enough for tonight! I am trying to update more often but it's hard sometimes. I read everyone's blog but don't have time for my own. Interesting....

computers and moms

It amazes me how we as moms have some much time to be on the computers. Sometimes I feel like I ignore my children to be on the computer. Why is that, sanity, obsession or just plain laziness. Maybe because as moms we can multi-task. I once heard on the radio how men have to turn off the tv, tell everyone to be quiet and take a breath before answering the phone. However, women will be cooking a meal, have a baby on her hip and have a children's book on CD playing in the other room (loudly) and pick up a ringing phone without even a moment of pause. I believe computers save us from killing our children on most days or at least walking out of the house and screaming to the neighborhood. We connect with other moms and for a brief moment, we feel like we are something else other than just a mom.
If I could go one day without hearing "mommy come see this" I would be a more sain woman. Erik says this to me daily and ussually multiple times a day. When I ask him to tell me, he says "Can you just come see this" and if I don't jump up from whatever I'm doing (blogging, facebooking, emailing) and run down the hall, I'm reminded again... moooooommmm pleeeese come see this. All I can say is thank God for computers or at least blogs and facebook. Without theme, us moms wouldn't know what kind of outlet to have to release our frustrations (yes, Erik just threw a toy across the living room). All I can say is I appreciate all you in cyberspace who I can vent to and who understands my daily life.

New year, new plans, new ideas....

It seems like January 1st is the day everyone wants to start over. "Oh this year I'll do such and such" or "I'm going to loose X about of pounds. Why do we need a starting date? Why can't we just do what we want to do that day, be it January 1st or April 4 or November 17? I'm one that feels like it's good to start at the beginning of the year.
I hate resolutions. Nobody every actually keeps them unless they are so ridiculously easy which means, they shouldn't be resolutions in the first place. I have goals instead and each goal has different steps. I start out slow and pick up speed as I go (just like with any race you want to win, yes I was a runner... was being the key word) Anyway, my goals this year are to feel better! No, I'm not feeling particularly bad but I want to feel better. You can always feel better no matter where you are in life. If there is no way to feel better then you are in Heaven and not on the planet Earth because like I said, you can always feel better.
So far in 2009 I am doing a pretty good job. We are taking a serious look at our finances which is hard to work on but like Phil said "We were bad and need to take a time out". Due to our inability to save and wait to do projects or buy fun toys, we are not where we want to be financially so enough real personal stuff.
Goals for 2009: Feel better... financially, spiritually, physically and mentally. How do I do that you ask, well here goes:
Financially we've put ourselves on a fairly strict budget that we are working hard to stay on. It may take a few months but that is OK, (start slow).
Spiritually: I attend a few moms groups that are christian based and I am getting more involved in my church.
Physically: Almost harder than financial goals, I have a treadmill that I will be using soon... check back on that with me in a few weeks.
Mentally: I'm going to take one step at a time and if I don't get something done in the time I thought I could, oh well. Just keep chugging away. My new motto for the year "I think I can, I think I can. So far so good.
So to you my friends and family who care enough to read my blog, please call me on this goals. Check up on me and see how I'm doing because the best way to reach my goals is to have someone bugging me about them. I really want to be bugged about them.
Thank you!

thoughts about Christmas, traveling ect...

Now that Christmas is over (at least the secular holiday), everyone seems to start thinking about the next holiday. In this case Valentines day. I could probably go to the store and see a number of heart related stuff. However Christmas isn't over. In fact, Christmas day is the 1st day of the Christmas season which will last until at the minimum January 6th, Epiphany. But like everyone I'm ready for the tree to come down and the lights to be put away for another 12 months. Maybe I'm feeling this way because it's a sloppy mess outside. It was so pretty before Christmas. Granted, we were house bound because the roads were so bad but it felt nice. It was beautiful outside and we were inside listening to Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate. Now, we could be doing the same thing but it just doesn't feel the same.
I had a friend say to me that she couldn't believe I had to travel for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I told her "well I've been doing it for 15 years so I'm used it it." However, I'm starting to think we are in for a change. I don't think my family (parents, siblings, husband and kids) are ready for the change but I'm thinking that traveling 5-7 hours in opposite directions a month apart from each other in the winter may not happen in the future. We'll see. I keep telling myself what is right for MY family is what i need to do.
As I look toward the new year, everyone looks at what they can change about themselves and I find myself doing the same thing. What do I want to change about myself, better about myself.... I'll keep those thoughts to myself since I have not concreated them in my own head yet. Just know that my goals are to live life to the fullest and not view the world as what could happen or what has happened but what is happening!! words to live by!

Being a mother....

Being a mother is an amazing journey. Watching such a tiny thing develop into a person with their own personality is so neat and sometimes frustrating, but for the most part amazing. Sarah is really becoming her own person. Phil and I keep asking ourselves "Did Erik do this, or that?" and usually the answer is no or I don't remember. I know she is a different person but all kids have similarities and especially siblings. For example, both my kids are screamers but they come by that naturally. Sarah, however is much more of a "talker" than Erik ever was. He just liked to watch people. Sarah likes that as well but she will voice her opinion about whatever she happens to see, sometimes happy and sometimes mad and you never know what side is going to come out. Right now I'm watching her sitting in her rocking chair clapping her hands and watching the snow. I think she is most fascinated by the fact that she can make this chair she is sitting in, move all by herself. I would love to know what is going on inside her head. It's just another amazing thing about children.

Erik participated in our yearly church play today. He was a king who was part of the rhythm choir. I wasn't sure if he would get his lines down but in a short time of practice he got them down. Now being in front of the crowd today, I think he got a little shy because most of them came out but he spent more time playing with the crown that was suppose to be on his head but he liked looking through it and playing with a feather he found on the floor instead. I kept thinking, sing... say the line... but then I realized he's 4. I need to let him wiggle and play. It made it more entertaining for the video camera.
Watching the massive amount of snow piling up outside reminds me of my childhood. Builing snowmen, snow forts and going sledding. I'm looking foward to making memories with my children....

Winter traditions

Life in Walla Walla doesn't usually mean snow at any time of the year let alone before Christmas. Last weekend we got a treat when we woke up on Saturday morning, it was snowing. It wasn't sticking quite yet but eventually it stuck and stayed. YEAH. We were going to get our Christmas tree that day so we were very excited that it was snowing because it's not fun to pick out a tree when the grass is a sloppy mess. So we bundled up the kids and heading for the hills (literaly). It took us awhile because half way there we decided we couldn't make it there and back on the gas we had so back to the pumps we went. Once we got up there we spent about 30 minutes to find the perfect tree (or at least one that would be good for our house) and heading back home. We found a place that we get to cut our own which makes it fun. Erik had a blast being pulled in the sled and Sarah tolerated being out in the wet snow as long as mom held her. (She lasted in the snow long enough to get a picture).
We didn't get the tree up that night because just getting it home and in a stand in the garage took it out of us so we took part in another new tradition. Roasting marshmellows over the fire and making smores. It's really fun to do in the winter and we used homemade marshmallows YUM! If you are a fan of marshmallows, you HAVE to make your own. It's soo easy and very very yummy!
Sunday we were able to take the kids sledding at the park where there is a great hill for children to go down (and adults). Erik went down once by himself and crashed and burned (yes, he slammed his face into the snow and got snowburned), so he refused to go by himself again and when I bribed him to go, he screamed the whole way down. Oh well, maybe next year. My boy is just not as brave as others. After an hour, Sarah went from mildly annoyed to histaria so we headed home. That afternoon/ evening we finally got the tree up and decorated. I wanted to start another tradition of stringing popcorn, well that won't happen. It takes a lot to string popcorn and enough to get around the tree would probably have taken me days of stringing popcorn so I stopped with one strand that goes half way around the tree. Smores= doable tradition, stringing popcorn= undoable tradition.
Enjoy the Christmas season and all it has to bring. Remember what we are really celebrating and it's not how much of a deal we can get, it's the birth of Christ and we should praise him for all he gives us because if he didn't give it to you, it doesn't exist!

Yes, I'm biased!

Ok, I know that I'm her mom and all but you all have to admit, this is a cute girl! Over Thanksgiving Uncle Marc took this picture of Sarah and I think it's magazine quality. I would enter it into a photo contest but I didn't take it so I can't. Everyone tells me how cute she is and of course I agree but man, this is a cute picture.

Also, I am so thankful for both my children. God reminds me daily to appreciate my children. Today we (kids and I) with a friend and her kids. I thought Erik was hyper but man oh man, Erik is calm compared to her kids and it's great that they are so happy but I'm so glad Erik can calm down when asked (most of the time). I am greatful to God for showing me how wonderful my children are, even on the days they are driving me bonkers!

Being an outsider

We are back from a trip to Idaho for Thanksgiving. This year it was with the Auth's. It's interesting how different people are from each other. I come from a quiet (comparitivly) family compared to the Auths. Now granted, there are 25 of them to my family of 5 so its going to be louder because of the people. However, I find it interesting how different people are and yet seem to get along very well. We had fun in Twin Falls. I think the best part was throwing a shower for my sister-in-law who is having a baby in March. The hardest part was the difference in parenting with others. We like putting our kids down for the night at an early time in the evening and they don't bother. I know this post may piss off someone but these are my thoughts. Kids thrive on routine, they thrive on discipline, they thrive on being kids and having parents. Why do some parents not want to give their children what all children need to the best of their ability. I got mocked and barrated for wanting to put my children to bed at a decent hour. Why is it when an outsider (like an in-law) makes a suggestion or a request or a thought, they are looked at like they are on drugs or speaking a different language from the rest of the people in the room. If a member of the family says it, all of a sudden it's acceptable. I have heard so many times about people getting married to someone whose family they don't like and they said something like "well I'm not marrying the family" well to those people out there, if your future spouse is close to his/her family, you ARE marrying the family. You get to be with them also and have to deal with all their different behaviors and quirks. Being an outsider you see things that even your spouse can't see or doesn't want to see. Sometimes it's nice to be the outsider because the family doesn't expect the same behavior out of you or they just write it off as you being the "in-law". However, over time you will slowly get closer and closer to the family and maybe even someday agree on something but highly unlikely because you are from a different generation and a different world. It's ok to be from different worlds, but just remember sometimes different worlds don't mix well and you have to be gentle and understanding when your worlds colide, for the sake of your spouse.

I've joined the 21st century

Ok, I know this is my third post today. I don't post for a month and then do three in one day but what can I say, I should be in bed (ok, I am in bed, just not sleeping)
I thought I was part of the 21st century but I haven't been totally part of it. I have a cell phone, I email, I have a flat panel TV and a laptop. However, I had never sent or received a text message, at least not received one from a real person. However tonight my phone made a noise like a message had been received. I thought I wonder what that was (see I'm new to this cell phone world). I realized I got a text. I figured it was some ad from AT&T but I thought I would look at it anyway. It was from my bro-in-law Jon asking me about wine for Thanksgiving. First of all, I was excited I got a text and then I sent him a note back (I'm pretty sure). I felt very grown up. It's amazing how far people have come in their lives. It makes me wonder what I will be talking to my grandkids about. Will there be things that I never had that will be second nature to them? Yes there will be. Imagine what it will be like.

Thank God for TEACHERS!

I picked Erik up from Preschool yesterday. The whole class comes outside and sits on the steps of the preschool and each parent goes up one at a time to get their child. When the kids came out, they were all wearing Native Amerian headbands with a Phesant feather sticking out. It was so cute. They had been doing a whole Thanksgiving unit. I had heard different bits and pieces over the last few weeks but yesterday he came home with a whole bunch of stuff he had made, a house for the pilgrims, a tepee and a canoe for the Native American's and a necklace to represent harvest. They also sent home a bunch of qustions about the first Thanksgiving and Erik knew the answers to ALL of them. I am so glad I'm paying someone else to teach him. I would not have thought what to do to teach him about that and yet he gets it from his teacher. It is so rewarding when your child learns something and understand a piece of history.

What would I be like without kids

I sometimes wonder where my life would be if I didn't have kids. I ussually wonder this when my kids are driving me bonkers. I think things like I could sleep in, I could go places that are not kid friendly, (which I can't think of any places like that now). The question is, would I want to go to those places. Would I be happy not having children. There is no way to tell because you can't miss what you haven't experienced can you?
We had a playdate with a new friend today. I was a little worried about it because from the outside looking in, this fellow mom seemed to be what I was really looking for in a new friend. She lives close by, has kids the same age and seems really happy with her life. However I tend to think that about people (other moms) and then they turn out to be crazy or their kids drive me nuts. However, I was pleasently surpised. She was all those wonderful things I thought I saw and our kids got along with each other with no tears (almost). I don't really have a point but I just wonder where my life would be without kids. I can't imagine it.

"Just a mom"

a couple of years ago at my parents house, we started talking about how we define ourselves. I believe it was my brother-in-law William that called me "just a mom" in front of my mom. Well needless to say my mom who was a Stay-at-home mom didn't like the term "just a mom" because moms "do it all" in her mind. They clean, cook, take care of the children and their husband all while taking care of themselves right. Well I personally have no problem telling people I'm "just a mom" because in today's society being a mom is recongnized as a BIG job.

I guess today I'm feeling rather good about being a mom because my children are actually behaving and being fun to be around. They are almost always fun to be around but I got my main living area clean so I'm able to enjoy them better. It helped that Phil took both kids to Home Depot for 2 hours so I could get the house cleaned.

My point in writing today was to tell you more about what the kids are up to. Erik is enjoying pre-school. He is a little behind (according to his teacher) so we are practicing things at home like cutting, coloring and writing letters. I am guessing by next Spring he will be about par with the rest of his class. He can't wait for Halloween. He doesn't understand the true meaning of Halloween so it is fun to listen to him talk about dressing up and going trick or treating. I got his costume out tonight to let him play with it and the look on his face was so awesome. It's like he had never seen it before.
I felt bad for him, he split his lip open this afternoon outside. Phil was washing the windows (yes, I know I'm keepin' him), anyway Erik had just said "I love outside, it's my best" which is his way of saying his favorite thing to do, well then he slipped off a rock and went face first into a ceramic planter. Luckily he is ok although he milked the situation so he could watch scooby doo.

Sarah is doing good. She is 8 months old and starting to think about crawling. We don't put her on her tummy enough because she is happier sitting up, but we are starting to lay her down more. I think in her head she understands but can't get her body to listen. She wiggles but only goes backwards. It's quite cute but she gets mad when she can't reach whatever we put in front of her. She also discovered a new friend. That is, her reflection in the window at night. She waves to her new friend and talks to her and it's amazing, her friend has a mommy that looks just like hers! I don't think she realizes the baby is her. I love watching another human being discover what most all of us take for granted.
If you have children and grandchildren please don't take them for granted. They will show you amazing things about life if you let them, no matter how young or old they are! Remember they lived a completly different life than you did. Let them teach you as much as you teach them.

We have a new house!

Ok, we don't actually have a new house but we do have a new roof and a new paint job on the outside of our house. We have been putting off the roof for a few years. Partly because so many people told us to wait (because it wasn't that bad) and also because of money and not wanting to do it period. After a couple years of a leak in the laundry room and then the main bathroom, we decided to paint the house then do the roof. We started the process of painting the house in August when it was warm, because that is when you are SUPPOSE to paint a house. Well long story short, we took a break from that in the middle of September because that is when our parents were able to come help with the roof. We thought we'd be done with the painting by then but we were not even close. So before my parents and Phil's dad came we (phil and I and thankfully some friends) tore off the old roof. My parents showed up and the next day Phil's dad came. Phil unfortuantly had to work 10-12 hour days at the Dam so he wasn't able to help us except in the evenings. I didn't think we would get it done in a week (which is how long we had the help) but with 3 of us on the roof (Two dads and me) we were able to get it done about 3 hours before the rainstorm hit. It was hard work but fun. I ran the nailing gun and also helped tear off old boards.
We did have 3 people fall through the roof as we were taking off the old boards. Phil almost landed on the refrigerator. I fell in up to my waist and our 76 year old neighbor fell in up to his thigh. Yeah, I was a little worried about that one.
So, after 1 1/2 weeks after tearing off the 1st shingle, we have a brand new roof.
So does that mean we can stop and breath. Nooooo. We have to paint the house now. So after hours of Phil sanding and scraping we were ready for paint (almost). We decided to at a little texture to the house by doing what is called batton on board. We added verticle boards to the siding. It took us 4 hours to prime because of this and 1 hour to paint the entire house. (Thanks to aunt lisa for the use of your paint sprayer).
So I think I've gone on long enough. I will try to update more often. It's hard with the two kids and a house with a million and one projects.

"Free Time"

What is free time? I am asking because I hear people talking about free time and it's like they are speaking greek. Erik recently started pre-school. I have 2.5 hours twice a week where he is out of the house. I don't get anything done or at least it seems like I should have a sparkling house with a break from Erik 5 hours a week going to school. Granted I have Sarah at home and she is demanding most of the time, but she sleeps while Erik is at school. Maybe it's that I'm not used to doing work without little ones screaming or asking questions. It also could be that the house is finally quiet and I just want to sit and enjoy it.
It is so nice that Erik is in school. All the things I've tried to teach him, like cutting with scissors, coloring and writing his name he is doing very well at school. I know I'm suppose to inforce it at home but like a friend said, "that is why you are paying them to do it for you".

We also just got done re-roofing our house. It was a week of chaos. Phil was working 10-12 hour days at the dam so my parents and phil's dad came to help. Along with some friends here in town. I was very proud of myself. I pulled shingles, ripped off old boards and nailed new ones back down. Phil was quite surprised. We had no major injuries except a few people (Phil, Me and a neighbor) fall through the roof. Phil is the only one that went all the way through (he landed on the refridgerator). Happily I only fell up to my waist. I did get a good gash on my leg however.
But alas it's done. We won't have to worry about leaking ceilings this winter. Now our next project (that we were in the middle of when we started the roof) is painting the house. Hopefully we will get it done before the weather turns nasty.
Now as far as free time. My living room has toys and clothes all over it. I have laundry I have to fold and Erik's shoes are sitting on the table next to me, however now that I have both kids down for quiet time at the same time, I will go veg out and watch a show because I can't do that when the kids are awake. I'm going to enjoy this thing called "free time" even though it's not really free. Free from kids but not work.
No wonder I can't get my house ever clean!

Family Reunions

I was told that i don't keep my blog updated enough so I thought I would update it with what is going on this weekend (labor day). We traveled hours to visit Phil's family in Twin Falls, Id. It's always interesting to me to see Phil's aunts and uncles. The things that come out of their mouth. I guess I should be glad that people have the confiedence to say what they want to say. So far, nothing too crazy has come out of their mouth. It's been fun. It's neat to see such a big family get along with everyone.
It was fun to sit around with some of the girls and talk about babies and pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Sarah & Erik have been having fun. Because we want to visit with the adults, Erik has been watching a ton of TV. He is in hog heaven. Sarah has reveled in having everyone hold her, especially her God mother Rebecca. Well that is all for now. I may write more later.