Word on the street...

I started thinking about things I wanted to work on, this upcoming new year and was pretty quickly overwhelmed by my list. That discouraged me. My list was nothing major, but there were numerous things. Some were attainable, some not so much.

Then I found this. What a perfect idea.

My word for 2010 is FOCUS.

This little five letter word has helped and hurt me through many a thing in my life. Sometimes I have too little, others too much.
This year, I'm hoping for just the right amount.

Here's to you finding your word on the street. ;)

~Chat soon!

out and about...

Botanical Gardens, St. Louis MO

We love acting like tourists when Susan and co. is in town.

I wasn't in love with the idea of going. 3 girls under 5-lots of fragile flowers and expensive trains. Nightmare waiting to happen, I was sure. Even tried to convince the family not to go. They didn't listen.

Good thing.

We had a great time. Minus Adam, he was working.

~Chat soon

Christmas All Week Long...

Christmas Eve tree.
Christmas Eve at Adam's parents.
Christmas morning.
Christmas celebration at Mom and Dad's.
AND the finale...
Susan in her 'crotchless' underwear a.k.a. a NURSING BRA! Adam in his camo lounge wear.

HA! Won't be able to find him...

~Chat soon!

and here we are...

I didn't like that post without pictures-so if you were hear earlier-here are some pictures from the holiday season. :)
the day after Christmas.
i love this day.
sort of.
its the day where our kids get to dive into everything that they haven't yet discovered, relax, and eat all the scraps that are left over.

we had a great Christmas. it was so great to be around people that love us and are loved by us. lots of laughs, jokes, stories, and jabs were shared. along with food, drinks, and fun. no pictures to share, i didn't take any. GASP!

i do hate to see the holidays close. BUT since my sister comes in today. they aren't even close to closing, really just opening! can't wait.

now, here is to wading through gifts, and leftovers, and hopefully catching a nap amidst it all. :)

hope you enjoyed yours as well...
~chat soon!

Merry Christmas to All...

And to all a good night!
~Chat soon!

THE program...

So last week was THE Christmas Preschool Program. I was excited. We had good seats. BUT the kids were arranged by classes and we were unaware that the classes had special spots. (duh!) So THIS is the best picture I got. Anne was cute and sang her lungs out. Next year, I'll send a messenger to find out where the kids will stand, I guess. Dumb mom! ;)

~ Chat soon.

Peace On Earth?

Hopefully some have it this holiday season but, those of us dealing with Kate are far from it! HA! Two year olds are the best. :)

~Chat soon.

Check this out...

After many years of saying "I wish I could sew". I have given it an honest attempt the past few months. I have two women in my life, my mother and my aunt, that can drive their sewing machines like race cars. My mom has made us umpteen outfits and Aunt Linda has shared many of her sewing projects with the girls. They're professionals in my eyes.
I can say that I am far from 'good', but acceptable, maybe. (don't look on the inside, it would make you shutter!)

Here is how it all panned out:

I found some fabric on sale. Thought it was decent.

I googled, how to make a simple skirt.

I watched a YOUTUBE video.

I did not use a pattern.

I struggled with a piece of elastic and kind of felt like I was wrestling during the process.

I broke a needle. It ALMOST stuck into my jugular! NO LIE. It scraped my NECK! Wierd.

I was enlightened to find out that the side of the material I thought was going to be the outside was actually the inside. BONUS! (the inside, was much nicer. :) )

I whispered some bad words.

My finger was spared from the needle a few times.

But after it was all said and done...

I have a skirt to wear on Christmas Eve that I MADE!

It's the little things that make me tick!
~Chat soon

Let It Snow!

You would have thought it snowed three feet instead of the 1/4 inch we got overnight.
The girls had a blast. Even made 'deck angels'.... Wierd little things-they are! :)
~Chat soon!

Here Comes Santa Claus

We spotted Santa TWICE this weekend.

Kate didn't think much of him during the first visit.

The second sighting was much better. :) (he also brought presents that time!)

~Chat soon!

A Good Man...

So this past weekend was a busy one. We had a Santa event on Saturday morning, Christmas get together Saturday night, and planned to have my parents for dinner on Sunday evening. All while trying to get caught up with cleaning, laundry, odds and ends of household things.

Suddenly, the garbage disposal goes kaput. Total nastiness descended in our kitchen sink. I was guilt-stricken, reviewing all the garbage I tend to shove down the disposal. (funny how those words make up it's title)

Never muttering a cross word, Adam headed to the local hardware store for a new "Badger". Fitting brand name for a garbage disposal isn't it?

My parents, by this point, were on their way. Kitchen was a wreck, every rouge bottle of cleaner and dirty sponge that slipped out of its spot was now on the cabinet. No side dishes were ready for dinner, it was a disaster.

Adam starts to put the garbage disposal in. Kate insists on 'helbing'(helping). She calmly sat down next to him to hold the 'blashlight'(flashlight) It was apparent, she wasn't movin'.

Once again, Adam says nothing, except "You may want to get the camera for this one, Sara."

Long story short, another trip to the hardware store, Dad and Adam getting the disposal in, dinner being saved, the kitchen cleaned up, to only find out the DISHWASHER ISN'T WORKING, our weekend ended kind of sour-ly. (A simple oversight on the installers part caused the dishwasher to not drain, and we have all working appliances back in the kitchen!)

I think I have found myself a keeper, for he still has YET to mutter a word about the evidence of c.r.u.d. found in the garbage disposal, courtesy of me AND he let our favorite little two year old sit between his legs while fixing the sink.

WHAT A GUY!
Sometimes there is nothing better then a little pat on the back!

Love you, Bud!

~Chat soon!

p.s. he also surprised me with..... a new car last night after dinner...HOLY MOLY!

weekend..

this was a weekend, right? whew! it's been busy. that's okay. it was a fun kind of busy. i'll post picture today sometime, hopefully. cleaning and making cakeballs and chocolate pretzels today. yum. oh and trying to finish some felt garland project i started and hoping to be done by Christmas eve!

hoping people still read this even after my last post about perspective. it ruffled a few feathers, or just made some nervous-wasn't meant to be directed at ANYONE! just getting a lot off my chest, little as it may be, it does get full. ;)

merry Christmas!
~Chat soon

Perspective

This week a conversation, that has proved itself to be quite sticky, has arisen at the workplace.
It is about MORALE.
It's been ugly.
Some believe the morale is poor, others think not so much, some think it may very well be, self inflicted.

I personally, am a glass half full kind of gal, always have been. I *try* to find fun/joy in most things I do (except laundry, I believe it is sent from the d.e.v.i.l.). It's just me. I can imagine that some of the people I deal with on a daily basis, find it annoying, but tough.
Kill 'em with kindness, has always been my motto-long before I knew that was a phrase.

Things get tough, they do for everyone. My worst day, isn't nearly as bad as people endure on a regular basis. I come from a solid family and upbringing, I am blessed to have my parents and in laws in the same town, a sister and her family that are wonderful, I have two beautiful girls, a doting husband, and friends that are great. All in all, I have been dealt a sweet hand.

That annoys some, especially people that are irked by happiness. That is OKAY. But I have a message, we ALL have crosses to bear, some are little, light weight smooth crosses, some are heavy and large and have sticker points. All in all, we are Loved the same, we have been put here to do something, it may not be obvious at this time, but eventually it will be. It may very well be that the cross we are bearing is part of the plan.

I don't usually search out people's misfortunes as an avenue to assure myself that my life is blessed. But the stories that are here and here are just too sweet, read them. You have to be tough, and make it through the whole thing.
It at times is emotionally awkward, and can lead to tears, but in the end, you will walk away thanking the Good Lord for all you have. :)

If you read this, thanks for sticking through the whole thing...it's been a long week, and my glass is starting to empty a touch. :)
I just needed to get all that garb off my chest.

~Chat soon!

Starting Young

So if you know anything about us, you know that we are very conservative politically speaking. We don't excuse it, or hide it. It's us and our beliefs. Everyone has their views and opinions and we respect that.

That being said...

Adam was watching President Obama's speech two or three weeks ago (time escapes me). He was half listening and playing games with Anne while watching.

As the speech went on, Adam's body language and muttering, clued Anne in that he wasn't exactly 'happy'.

Anne says-"Daddy? What's wrong?"

Adam says-"Oh, I just don't like this guy too much."

Anne says-"Well, then I think you should switch him!" (meaning change the channel)

Adam says-"That's what we are hoping for, but we have three years to wait!"

~chat soon!

Deck the halls...

The girls are reminding me to stop and enjoy the magic and peace this holiday season.

~Chat soon!

'Tis the season...

On Thanksgiving, we somehow got on the subject of Christmas trees. My aunt and uncle were telling us how they go and cut down their tree at a Christmas tree farm. We always get a live tree, but from a tree lot. There is nothing wrong with that, but the idea of bundeling up and trudging through a field, actually, sounded well, more exciting. Aunt Linda and Uncle Don gave us the info on the farm and today we made the trip.

Besides Anne deciding to take off-running at one point and me not being able to catch up with her, we had a really great time. The weather was freezing so it sealed the deal that Christmas was here!

Thanks Aunt Linda and Uncle Don, you may have helped us start a new tradition.

P.S. We got the Balsam Fir-I figured it out the website, mom. :)

Content...

Winding down the holiday weekend last night, Adam decided to light a fire. The girls loved it. Adam and the chicks snuggled, I addressed Christmas cards...it was good ole fashion quality time at its best.
We even watched the Halmark Special. :O)
How 'bout that Norman Rockwell!?

~Chat soon

Come Ye Thankful People...

Crafts and pie making on Wednesday (a tradition with Anne)

Thanksgiving lunch at Adam's parents...

Dinner at my Aunt Linda and Uncle Don's home.

We had a G.R.E.A.T. Thanksgiving...

~Chat Soon

A fun little story

So yesterday, after work I headed toward the babysitters house to get the girls.
She is a wonderful, wonderful lady. Debbie always has a story that cracks me up about a scenerio that the day had. Today was different. Debbie seemed to have a heavy mind. She said she had to tell me something. (room gets fuzzy) I held my breath wondering if Anne had an accident, or if Kate hit someone...This is how it played out:

Debbie-Sara, Anne said something today.
Me-Okay
D-I asked her to start cleaning up the toys before nap...
Me-Okay
D-She looked right at me and said "AW DAMN IT!"
Me-UHHHHHH.....room gets REALLY fuzzy.

I immediately think that she has enlightened three two year olds on new vocabulary words, she has started a dictionary of all vulgarity she has heard in the past 4 years and is ready to just spout off at any inopportune moment, etc.

As any mother does, I started right into apologies and explanations. Debbie reassured me that it wasn't a big deal, I shouldn't worry about...have a nice Thanksgiving.

...gulp. I didn't know what I was going to say or do. I did the best thing I could think of and just reasoned with her. When I asked Anne who she heard this word from, she said, 'her brother'. This brother of hers is pretend, and does lots of stuff with her. Usually positive. Once I do find this brother, he and I are going to have a nice chat.

As we drove home, we talked some more about the situation. I would have to tell daddy etc. Of course she wept, literally wept, about the thought of telling Adam. In her 4 years of life, I can probably count on 3 fingers how many times he has even RAISED his voice at her, let alone got mad. So I was a little confused about the sudden drama.

We finally got home. She was very gun-shy as she saw Adam (I guess she thinks he has E.S.P.) he asked what was wrong and she just sank-she said out loud "I'm so sorry, I disappointed you." OH FOR PETES SAKE. That would make the coldest of hearts melt...

On to nigh time...I sank into bed, mortified at the potty-mouth I have apparently raised, and already tired from the excitement building about all the weeks festivities that were on the list.

4:30am rolls around. I hear this ODD sound coming from one of the bedrooms, was it a dog? No. Was it a seal? No. It was Kate, with what sounded like CROUP!

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccceeee.

Assess the situation, she has a low grade temp and sounds as if she swallowed a pack of lit cigarettes. I calm her down and head back to bed.

Once again, from zero to panic.

How would we handle Thanksgiving dinner(s)? Would everyone understand that the other parent had to stay home with the sick one? Would the dishes I signed up to prepare still be okay if I just sent them along....????? Would we just cop out and make a meatloaf? Oh how great the imagination is at 4:30am.

Roll onto 7am. Everyone is fever free, bright eyed and bushy tailed. As if it never happened. A hint of a horse voice, but that is it. Really?!

So on this Thanksgiving Eve, I am very thankful that Kate is well, Anne is so with-it, that she even picks up 'bad things' and that I have the family I do to love and support me no matter the hour of the day.

This was a long one. But worth it...maybe?
~Chat soon!

it's starting...

that feeling, it's starting.

you know what i'm talking about.

it's tuesday, the last day of the work week before the holiday break.

the energy and excitement is almost too much to bear.

you can feel it in the grocery store, in traffic, everywhere.

i kind of dig it.

i love the holidays.

but i have also made a pact with myself.

it's not necessary to make it perfect.

i have caught myself already stressing about the 'perfect' gift for someone. if i was going to have the 'perfect' decorations this year. if my cards were going to be 'perfectly addressed by december 1.'

WHO CARES????

no one outside of my little mind knows what MY idea of perfect is...so LET.IT.GO.SARA!

i need to set aside the ideas for beaded ornaments, homemade garland, perfect arrangments of baked goods, coordinating outfits for the girls...the list goes on and on...

i need to focus on the real reason that all of these holiday's are going on.

looking forward to candles, food, family, crisp evenings, church services, and lots of GOOD memories.
~chat soon!

Anne is thankful...

Fun projects from Pre-school.
Click on them to make out what she writes.

Games...

After work this evening, I had a meeting. I usually don't have any work related things after the normal school day and when I do I tend to dread them. Today was no different. It was especially hard because it was dreary and cold. The kind of day you just wanted to go home, change into that warm pair of sweats that only your closest family can see you in (you ALL know what I mean!) and proceed with my evening. That wasn't in the cards for me tonight.

As the meeting went on, I was overcome with 'mom guilt'. A very ugly sickness that washes over women from time to time. It's yucky. Very, very, yucky. I knew that the girls were with Adam, who is a wonderful, capable, loving dad. Dinner was in the crock pot and I would be home shortly. I just couldn't shake that sick feeling in the pit of my tummy. I wanted to be with THEM.

I finally got home. They all greeted with me with the normal red carpet affair and went on with their business, putting Barney stickers on the oven front, smuggling ink pens into the family room, watching too much t.v. etc.

That is when I blew 'the whistle'.

WE WERE TURNING OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES. NONE! NO MORE TONIGHT....

As of 7:30pm on November 17th...it was officially GAME NIGHT!

So as soon as the dinner dishes were in the dishwasher...we busted out the games.

It was quite fun.

Made me realize that I needed that as much as the kids needed it.

Both games were a blast, easy, understandable, (for all parties) and short in length. (another score in my book!)

Great Christmas gifts too, if you are thinking about your lists...

~Chat soon!

How about something to look at...

I've been running my mouth lately like people actually read this thing.
Here are some pictures from Fall Fun with Maw-Maw W at Suson Park.
It was a great time, as Kate would say, it was "Awethome!"

~Chat soon!

Get this!

*If you stopped by earlier and couldn't get the links to work, try it again...they work now. I'm not real gifted in the tech world!*

So I was reading this yesterday. I went to high school with Sabrina and somehow we have reconnected in the blog world. I ran across the information on Operation Christmas Child and fell in love with the idea.

Anne and I just had a heart to heart and she said "I LOVE to help people". So today, we are going to put our shoe box together.

The deadline is fast approaching, so check it out and think about it. It gives that warm and toasty feeling on the inside! :) Who doesn't LOVE that feeling!
How cool!

~Chat soon!

What am I doing??

So, Sunday at church, I was listening to the sermon. I was also wrestling Kate who thinks she owns the stained glass windows, so my concentration from time to time was disrupted.


That being said, I caught a very important message. Basically, Pastor S. said, it is not okay just to sit there and "look like your doing something".


We really need to be REACHING OUT and helping people. He gave many ideas, tithing, missions etc. It really hit me. I can't say why, it just did. Then I was perusing through the blog 'Whatever' earlier this week and saw this . I thought to myself, SOMEONE is REALLY trying to get a message across to me. I have read several stories this week that are true signs of doing something that has MEANING. It just makes me ask..."What am I doing?" I know that it isn't really a question that can be answered. Everyday actions have meaning, that convey a message that you are a Christian. You aren't just sitting in the pew on Sunday's corralling your youngsters, hoping they pick up a bit of the message as well. It just has been weighing on me this week.


The cool thing is, several things have come up this week that have made me say 'THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING!!!!!'.


That Lord, He works in mysterious ways, doesn't He???


~Chat soon!

Not typical...

I begin this post with an apology.
You'll figure out why as you read.

I have type 1 diabetes.
I have had it since I have been 7...in other words a very LONG time.
I have been on the insulin pump for 9 years the end of this month.
Usually, I am in good control, but on an occasion there is a hiccup.
Well, today was the hiccups of hiccups.
My blood sugar maxed out at 450. (normal being between 80-120) I'm not sure why. (the mystery of the pump from time to time)
It was almost lunch time. I got my students to recess and started troubleshooting. No answers.
I took correction doses and waited, and waited, and waited.
For those of you that aren't diabetic, the feeling of a very high blood sugar is the worst hangover feeling you have or have not ever had. Nauseous, headache, fuzzy brain, incredibly sleepy, etc.
It is not a fun experience, especially at work.
I picked my kids up and was still waiting for the blood sugar to drop.
Tick, tick, tick.
I was testing every 5-10 minutes. Very foolish, but I am both stubborn and impatient (not a good combo.) and I had to know if it was dropping or was I dealing with something else.
Finally, about 45 minutes after taking a shot, it dropped, a hefty 250 points to be exact.
Not exactly a grand feeling either, but I was thankful, it was correcting and I was going to be feeling better fast.

There really is no rhyme or reason to this entry, except to verify that I use this truly for a living journal and today was rough.

It also proves that the Walk For Diabetes must continue, and hopefully there will be very little time before we hear the wonderful announcement that we can toss our pumps, tubes, vials and all the stuff out the WINDOW! :) *thank you again for all the supporters to this years walk!*

Another thing, I don't usually talk about my diabetes, if I do, it is usually humorous, or informative, never whiny or self-pity. So I apologize for saying all this today. I am in no way seeking some one's pity...just venting. If anything, asking for a prayer that those scientist keep working their tail feathers off...the cure will be here soon. So very soon.

~chat soon!

Surprises on Sundays....

Sunday, I took Anne to the Fairy Tale Tea at the Magic House. She didn't know we were going until that morning, AFTER church! :)
It was priceless.
Anne was so excited YOU could feel it.

It included all the fixins'...crown making, china tea cups, scones, cookies, the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and of COURSE Cinderella! (who really was beautiful!!!)

The best part was when Anne asked Cinderella if she could see her shoes...(the room got fuzzy for me, thinking she had a pair of dirty ol' converse under that dress...NOT that there is anything wrong with that, but how crushing for a 4year old Cinderella worship-er)-Cinderella pulled that dress up to reveal...THE GLASS SLIPPERS! OH MY GOODNESS OH MY GOODNESS! Anne looked as if she had just discovered gold!

It's moments like this that just make me want to bottle and keep on a shelf.

May sound crazy...but that's just US!!!!



~Chat soon!