3 cheers for Spring!

I'm so glad warmer weather is on the way! It's mid-March and this past weekend it was in the 70's. The flowers are all starting to come up and all the tree's have buds on them. I LOVE this time of year! It's now pouring rain but that's okay because I know sunshine is ahead :)

I've recently become part of a "mom's" group and am really enjoying it. We go out every couple of weeks for dinner (without kids) and have adult conversations. LOVE that and definitely NEED that! I haven't really noticed up until lately my need for something more than just staying home with my kids. Of course I love them unconditionally, they're absolutely adorable, and I'm very blessed. BUT (yes there's a but:) I do miss conversations with the girls which I use to get at work all the time but since I quit to stay home I don't get that anymore. I don't regret my decision to stay home because I know no one will love my kids like I do. I have a hard time trusting anyone to take care of them while their young anyway.
My little Missy is 4 "going on 5" as she says and I definitely feel more comfortable with someone watching her because she's older. My little buddy is just shy of 2 and I'm getting more comfortable but will feel better when he can talk a bit more.
On the other hand we're (my husband and I) are going to have to find someone because we need some date nights and 3x a year is not enough! That's about how many times we see our family per year. So we don't have the luxury of dropping our kids off anytime we want to for them to watch.
I'm not sure where to start... However I do have a very nice lady (my friends mom) that watches them for me 1x a week right now so I can go to a ladies Bible study. Which I'm thankful for. I'm really enjoying the speaker, Beth Moore, and the studies that she's put together.
We finished Daniel and now we're onto Esther.
Now onto more laundry...

Christmas 2009

I've been pretty much convinced that gift cards are the way to go for Christmas gifts. Both giving and receiving. That was up until this past Christmas and my favorite gift isn't money at all! It's a picture display that my SIL made for me and I love it!

I did miss family but it was nice to have a low-key day, not having to be any place at any certain time. The kids were a lot of fun and Sarah told me "this was the best Chwissmas ever!"

She first woke us up around 8am saying she saw some things under the tree and a mootoo-cycle that she thought was for Caleb.

So her favorite gift was both Wii games and Caleb's favorite thing is whatever sister's favorite thing is.

As for the Wii - my daughter is obsessed with this thing! I'm not sure if it's because she's so competitive, likes to win, or hates to lose.

So now it's 2010...another year to make a difference...

Not what I thought

So I thought blogging would be easier then it has turned out to be. I get SO busy and forget completely about it!
When I was little I tried the diary thing and wasn't good at keeping it up to date either - not sure why I thought an online diary would be different?!?!?
Hmmm...let me think about what's going on these days...
DD (Darling daughter) started preschool last week. We ended up not liking it so have decided to start homeschooling her this year and see how it goes.
I went over a little bit of the curriculum with her and we had a really good time! I told her I am going to teach her at home now and she told me "I was a really good teacher." HA - soo funny!

I did make a HUGE boo boo last weekend and thought dance class started on Sat. well I guess it starts this Sat... ugh...big crocodile tears pouring out of her eyes and she yelled at me to take her to another dance class. Had to get myself out of that one with a chocolate donut. Which I NEVER do but it was major to her so I had to find a major cure! She cheered right up and talked to everybody in the donut shop. My girl loves chocolate - which I can't blame her one bit :)

My little buddy, on the other hand has started YELLING at us. He can't talk yet but wants to communicate so will just scream and point. Oh I hope the words come soon!!! The constant yelling grates on the nerves and ears...good thing he's so darn adorable :) Oh and he LOVES going outside to play.
DD was so nice and took him around on her 4-wheeler today. He kicked and screamed for about 20 min.'s when it was time to come inside. Oh this age is hard...they just don't get explaining anything yet...I know it will fly by though...
So I keep going back and forth about having another baby and today I'm good with the 2 we have. We're blessed. I love my kiddies.

My sweet boys

Yesterday was my sweet little boys 1st birthday. WOW - already 1 year old...I'm right along with most people and can hardly believe how fast time goes. It seems so long ago I was pregnant with him but I remember when I was pregnant and feeling like I would be pregnant forever! We had a party at our house and were so blessed by everyone's generosity to him. It's been raining cats and dogs so had to create a make-shift play area in our unfinished basement. It all worked out pretty good though.
My other sweet boy is my husband. Today is Father's Day and he is such an awesome dad to our children. I'm so thankful for him!

My Birthday

I quite possibly have the best husband on the planet. Even after almost 8 years of marriage he's still so thoughtful of me.
Today was my birthday and he took the day off of work to be with the kids so I could have a day off. He served me breakfast in bed, then scheduled a manicure and pedicure at the spa I like going to, took me out to lunch, then we came home and lounged, then we went out to dinner.
I just think it's so thoughtful that he took the day off work so I could relax. He's so thoughtful and kind hearted, and not just on my birthday.
I'm truly blessed to have him as a husband, friend, and father to our children. I hope my little boy grows up just like his daddy and I hope my little girl learns how a man should treat a woman and not settle for less!
I'm so thankful for all the birthday wishes from all my family and friends too! Everyone was so thoughtful!

Time marches on

So it seems I'm a little slow at this online diary thing BUT I try to find time when I can. Life is so busy these days I hardly know where the time goes. My little girl is lively, active, and chatty! My little boy is getting so big, it makes me a little sad. He'll be 1 yr old in 2 months! Hard to believe 1 yr ago I was very LARGE and, of course, in charge. (still am:)
My mom came to visit last month when Shawn was in China and we had a great time but the time went so fast, again. This week I'll be turning 35...officially in my mid-thirties...or as my sister says I'm now "clinically middle-aged." Whatever...I'm so blessed! I think the thing I've really been realizing lately is how fast time goes. My niece is graduating high school this year - I was 16 when she was born and now she's 18 years old! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone when we go visit!
Okay so the kids are in bed so my husband and I finally have some alone time. Gotta go!!!

Love...

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday! I think it's a combination of things that I like: a day reserved to say, "I love you." Which, of course, we say it every other day too but I like that there's a specific day set aside for LOVE. All people want to feel loved and cherished and to be able to reciprocate those feelings. I also like the red and pink color combination together, a signal that Spring is on the way!
So a little tribute to those I love...
My husband, I love the way you love me (sappy country song, I know) I love the father you are to our children, I love how you make me laugh until I almost pee my pants.
My daughter, I LOVE how you're learning about everything and how you want to be my "big helper." I love when I print something from the pc - and you get so excited that a "delivewee" has arrived. I love to make cookies for you and when you say, "Oh mommy, you make the best cookies" that melts my heart.
My little boy, I love how you snuggle your head into my neck. I love how you throw your whole body over to the side when you want to nurse. You speak loudly without being able to say any words yet. I love how you belly-laugh when your sister tries entertaining you.
My mom, I love that God made you my mother, I am so blessed.
My dad, I love that you're a loving example of what a dad should be.
My sister, I love that you're so giving and you have a beautiful heart.
My brother, I love how nice you are to me and how you give 110% to what you believe is right.
My neice, I love what a beautiful person you are, inside and out.
My nephew, I love how you like to play jokes.
My other nephew, I love how you play your ocarina all the time - don't ever stop.
My other mother, I love how you have a generous heart and that I can call you anytime and talk.
My other sister, I love how talented you are.
My other other sister, I love that I can call you sister now instead of just friend.
My other brother, I love that we can pick up and talk with each other even after not talking for a year or so.
My other other nephew, I love how you call me Aunt Kathy :)
My other other other nephew, I love how you talk to me like I'm cool :)
My other other other other nephew, I love your dancing!
My other neice, I love how sweet you are.
So that's my little family in a nut shell.
If I wrote about all my relatives, I may be here for a couple days! (15 aunts and uncles and 28 1st cousins.) But of course there's something I could find that I love about each one of them.

Anyway - here's to Valentine's Day - look for the good in everyone and let your love shine through!