Post Birthday

Here are pics from Miss A's Birthday party:) And no I did NOT make the cake. I wish I had that kind of talent but if it was up to me to do the cake it'd be just a plain ol cake with canned frosting:)

I put on the candles that keep coming back. It was very funny:)

C'man got a couple presents too.

The much anticipated bike!

When she is really concentrating she sticks our her tongue:)

It was a nice little party. We missed my my MIL and FIL but again thankful that BIL, SIL and niece could be a part of it. Kind of sad in a way to think that here @ 3 years old one set of g'parents is already absent and I really can't help but wonder if they'll ever be present together at another party.

Happy Birthday My Little Girl

Ahhh the memories. Three years ago I went to bed hot, tired, and very pregnant (I was HUGE while pregnant. People either thought I was going to go in to labor that moment or that I was having at least twins). I awoke a couple hours later the the beginning of labor. Something I dreamed about for years was finally becoming reality.

After trying a bath, walking around, etc I woke DH and said I think we'd better get to the hospital. To be honest, I don't think I even had a bag packed:) I wasn't technically due for another 2 weeks. Called the sitter, who at 1145pm was on her way home from a night out with the girls, and we were on our way. I'll spare you all the rest of the details but let me just say that male nurses are CLUELESS!! At 1232PM (as in, the next day!! 12 hours later,) our baby girl was born. It was an amazing moment. And really, I didn't even break a sweat. That was fine b/c the 8.5 hours prior to me getting the epidural, I sweat, puked, and well you get the idea, enough to last me a last time. (well till Memorial Day when I was puking sick again) Back on track....

So yes, our baby girl is going to be THREE tomorrow. Here are some pics:

More pictures to come after the party. Nothing real big. MIL is still gone, FIL is still in hospital with no plans of being released. My BIL and SIL are coming and my parents. That will be just fine. I'm so glad my B and SIL can come. They mean a lot to us and we are thankful they are an active part of our lives! Two of Miss A's cousins may come too. Oh and be for-warned Miss A got bit by a mosquito on the cheek bone, it caused her eye to swell. While it's looking better, as in you can almost see her lower eyelashes, it now is all bruised looking. Poor thing. Her 3 year old pictures will have that:) Such is life.

Stay tuned for more pics! I'm off to bed. I did 20 bags of corn (froze it) which was 88 ears of corn that were picked, husked, blanched, cut the corn off the cob and bagged! I have pictures:)

It's My BIRTHDAY....

Humor me by registering for the give away:) Faith has 8 entries already. Seriously, it's not to late and those that have come via Faith's blog, you can become a follower, post the give away on your blog, etc etc.
No real plans for my day. I had to take C'man to see the Speech Pathologists this AM. The appointment was actually YESTERDAY but I dumb right FORGOT! What kind of mom am I any ways. So we went today. I guess not any real concerns.
Looks like later we're going to go to Sioux City. I have $30 in Kohls money I NEED to spend, or loose. Then I think will go out to eat to my favorite Mexican restaurant. Oh did I mention I hope to get a pedicure!? not sure if I'll have time, but will see.
33 years old. My oh my......I often feel more sentimental for my mom. Thinking how 33 years ago she gave birth to me. What kind of experience it was, etc. I feel like I should give HER gifts for providing me life! (and my dad) I should take THEM out to eat. Ever since the birth of my children I've felt that way. Let's celebrate her, not me.
I wonder how C'man's BM feels on his b-day. A couple days before his b-day, and after, she is on my mind NON STOP!! I mean i think of her often, but with great thought and much prayers on those days.

OK I'm not going to get all emotional. I really could. so go register!!!!! NOW:)

Birthday Post

I realized I haven't done the birthday boy post yet! I think with all the drama going on it totally got over looked. But it can't be b/c this special little boy turned FOUR on the 13th. I'm not sure how to post back to a previous post, (anyone??) but if you look back on last years posts' i posted about the day he was born!

We had his party with his g'parents and one uncle and his God mother, on Sunday. On Saturday he got to open his presents from us and Miss A. I made rolls and put a candle in them for him. Here he is thanking Jesus for another year!!

Here are the pics of the big party. It was a John Deere themed party, special request by the little man!

Here he is opening up some of the many gifts:

This was from Miss A

Birthday Post

High time i get a post about miss A's 2nd birthday eh?? Being that we now are back to high speed instead of no speed i think i can do it. Not to mention my kids are playing outside in the DIRT! We finally cleaned up where a corn crib used to be. There is a HUGE section of dirt. Meaning every night my kids are filthy dirty and the dogs love laying in it. The snow fence has got to get up to keep anything 4 ft and under out of there.

But anyway....lets start with the original post of Miss A's b-day.

I made these, cupcakes in an ice cream cone and took them to the pool. We shared them with others there. Those pictures are on another camera.Her 'real' cake we had for her party on Sunday. NO I DID NOT MAKE IT! Heavens no. But isn't it ADORABLE! We have a lady here in town that buys our eggs and bakes/decorates cakes.

And she huffed and puffed and tried to blow out the candles. Actually she did do it but then she wanted more and then C'man had to have a turn.Yummy cake. I ate only the frosting and requested more. Finally some underwear for the child!

Her first Cabbage Patch. I'm excited too!

This was almost the best part watching the 'men' (my Dad and C'mans Godfather) put the toys together:)
C'man got presents to of course. Here's Cousin Jo Jo reading to him

After the guests left my parents and in laws all went out for pizza. That i guess was our 'night cap' to the festivities.

Post Birthday

Yesterday, Sunday, was Miss A's big party. It was just that too. She got so many great presents and many friends & family came to help celebrate. Unfortunately only Jeff's parents and one niece were able to make it from his side. My niece Katie, and her husband, had their daughter baptized yesterday in Lincoln NE. That only took out Uncle David, Aunt Mary Jo and the lovely Carrie which was to bad, but of course we understand. They did send some great presents, John Deere and Dora, fruit snacks!, book and some $$ What a hit with the kids the fruit snacks were. Heck with the toys they wanted to just eat them and open no more presents.

Speaking of presents, this is a list of what she got:
25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kid
Baby Alive
Graco set which included Pack n play, stroller, high chair, etc and required a lot of the men to put together (haha)
Tutu and boa
PJ's
coloring book, crayons, bubbles
Books
I think that covers it all. She really loved it all but her babies are the biggest hit. She is so in love! We had a Dora cake that was just delicious. No i didn't make or decorate it. I'm hoping some day i can upload pictures so you all can see it.

My sister and niece came down from Minnesota Saturday afternoon. It was fun having them here. I had a mini party at the pool then on Saturday. I made ice cream cone cupcakes. I was pretty impressed with my work. Once again pictures when this freakin Internet is back to 100%. We had fun swimming with everyone and the went out for supper.

C'man stubbed his toe outside Saturday and really did a nasty job of it. I didn't freak and didn't have to call anyone to help. I wrapped it up in a band aide and later that afternoon at the pool it was bothering him. So a lifeguard cut the skin off and things got better. He was like the king. I gave him a piece of candy thinking that would distract him. Nope he wanted to watch what was going on. Later we couldn't find him and after a brief panic by Ruth and I, i found him back in the life guard station getting another band aide and eating candy. Little stinker. I think he loved the attention of the cute life guards!

Both kids are napping now and have been for a couple hours. JoJo and C'man get WAY wild together and combine that with all the partying everyone is exhausted. Miss A doesn't seem to care that shes 2 and unfortunately her attitude hasn't improved, or gotten worse, since turning 2. Terrible two's SCARE me considering what we've been thru already:)

Swimming, Tatas, and Alcohol

Man do i rely on Internet to much. It really has put a damper on my life not having high speed Internet. I'm hoping in the next 1-2 weeks to be back up to full speed. Do any readers out there have wireless Internet? Can you relate to what I'm going thru?

So lets see, since I'm on, let me tell what we've been up to. The kids and I have been doing lots of swimming at our local pool. I can tell you we all have one heck of a tan. I'd love to 'show' you but a couple things prevent that. One being the obvious, the Internet. Oh now come on did you think i was going to say something else? Well yeah, that too. In order to actually see the lines I'd have to expose more of myself then i should, or care to. But i must say yesterday at the pool was a girl wearing a 2 piece that shouldn't have. I took one look at her lopsided tata's, her big/rolly tummy, and well decided heck i should have worn my two piece. I would had looked like Pamela Anderson compared to her. I know not nice, but really, she shouldn't have been wearing it and I just prayed C'man wouldn't say anything. Anyway, back to my tan, I guess i could take a picture of my back:)

I've decided what i want to get for my tattoo and fairly sure i know where i want to get it. From C'man's BM I got a tiny capsule of mustard seeds on a necklace. I want that with 2 mustard seeds out of the capsule. One for each child. Then all the other little ones inside would be all the embryos that never made it and/or those yet to come. It would be something I could add on if more children were to come OR if later i wanted to actually have it look like a necklace i could have that part added on. What do you all think? any artists out there that could draw something up for me? Any takers of anyone that wants to get it WITH ME!!

I survived both the 125th celebration and the fair. The 125th was fun. BFF-E and her family were here too. It was kind of hard juggling entertaining and fulfilling responsibilities of the celebration, but i think I managed, or maybe i should say 'we' as BFF-E helped a lot! We had a great time at the dance Saturday night however i won't be drinking orange juice for a very long time. I'm not sure what my problem with alcohol is, but i just can't handle it anymore. I think it was the drink with vodka in that did me in for the night. I woke up a very sick lady! I really didn't even drink that much. SO yeah, swore off of alcohol now for awhile. Being the big drinker i am (NOT) this should not be a problem. Any left in the house i have offered to stock my nieces new apartments fridge.

Lets see what else...oh tomorrow is Miss A's b-day!! She'll be TWO! Hard to believe 2 years ago i was at work telling my coworkers that i think I'm having contractions! I worked all day and about 1130PM i woke up just knowing this was it. I tried taking a bath and by midnight I'd woken DH up saying this is it. Called niece Emily to come over that we're heading to the hospital. Needless to say i didn't have her till 1236PM the next day. It was a LONG 8 hours of labor before i finally got the epidural. Dam male nurses!!

Anyway I'll be sure to post in the days to come about the coming and goings of her party and day!

Well this is long enough for one post. I'm still looking for stand in posters from time to time. Megs, Lala, BFF-E anyone else??

Week in Review

Mom and dad, my parents, came down Wednesday to take us, the kids and I, out for supper (for my b-day REMEMBER). DH can't go b/c of course he's in the field. I waited ALL FREAKIN day for them to get here. For a couple minutes i thought they were coming at 430pm instead of 530. Not sure where i came up with that, but i was eagerly anticipating there arrival. You see, I NEED adult conversation. I need someone else to be entertained by my kids. The days are getting long, the weather has been less then ideal and I'm TIRED. Oh did I mention DH isn't around much either!? Out late and up early. Oh but wait, that up early part, that's EVERYONE in my house. WHY can the kids not sleep past 630!! WHY O WHY!! Just one hour of solitude in the AM before the house starts rocking would be nice. BUT i don't want to get up at 530 to achieve that, not yet anyway.

OK so back to the chaos. Mom and Dad get here and the kids and I were out swinging and playing race car. The kids have to show them there swing set, etc. Finally we get everyone in the car; diaper changed, potty break, wash hands, change clothes, you get the idea. To the restaurant where my kids are stinkers. Miss A spilled the container of ranch all over her plate. Dad had looked away to take a bite of his food. C'man wanted chicken only to see that G'pa (my dad) had hamburger steak! He ended up with the chicken only to have miss A decide SHE wanted it too. Stupid me gave her a chicken leg and all hell broke out with C'man. In comes g'ma. She tried to get her, or C'man, to take a chicken strip. Nope, plan B anyone??? Yup rip the leg out of Miss A's hand b/c it is after all, C'mans. Besides she ate noodle salad and ranch dressing how could she be hungry. At any rate i don't think i even ate 5 bites of my chicken b/w my parents and the kids. So then we go walk on a great new trail in our town. That was uneventful thank goodness b/c when we came home 2 cats were in the house. Trying to shew the cats prooved to be quite the taske. One retreats to the dining room and the other in the BASEMENT. Kids and g'parents scatter trying to get them out all with Miss A screaming KITTTIIIEEEE and C'man saying I got to go get the cat....and me?? I have GOT to use the bathroom. I got a moment of solitude while i pee'd before being tossed back in to the rat race.

Mom had brought cup cakes for all to enjoy and it was getting late, but first we had to get the cats out. While C'man when downstairs he screeched that there was 'pooters' on the floor. i found crap in the basement. I don't know if it was the dogs (dam things) the cat, (to big for them) OR was it the resident coon that is hiding out in our tree and it had also found it's way in the house. At that suggestion my mother instantly FREAKS. LOL So i yell for c'mans scoop (and a manure spreader) to get it out. All while my dad just shaking his head at all the drama going on around him.

OK so is your head spinning like mine it:) One cat is out and we're ready to enjoy cupcakes with candles. C'man was just SURE it was HIS b-day!! They each got to blow out a candle but not before Miss A tried to grab hers!! She'll never do that again b/c dad, mom and myself freaked out on her!! Following the cupcakes mom nicely gets the kids in there jammies for me, did i mention i was EXHAUSTED. My kids were like monsters not only this day but this entire week.

Bed time can not come soon enough. I can't seem to get enough adult conversation either. After garage sales this AM (SUCKED) i begged DH to not leave me in the house. I didn't know what i wanted to do but i knew i didn't want to stay home. But that's what i ended up doing! Oh the weather continues to be hot and the next day FREEZING!! In fact, on Thursday night, mom and dad had tornadoes up by them!! I think, and have heard, it's going to be a very active tornado season. LOVELY!!!

OK so back to the chaos. As i was 1/2 unconscious from exhaustion that night, i knew i had to tell DH there was a cat in the house. Well Thursday AM he says to me 'did you know cats were in the house??' TO which i replied, 'yeah you wouldn't believe all the events going on here last night and I forgot to tell you there was one cat in the basement' He then says 'no CATS there was 2, Apple and Ethel met me in the kitchen. I opened the patio door and the just walked out' WHAT they just WALKED OUT?? Oh that's right, the screamers aren't awake or they'd be huddled in the basement. I guess the 2 cats got to enjoy a night in the house then. Speaking of cats, Momma Mini MeMe had kittens. On my B-day!! I went to put food in the cat kennel and HELLO there were new born kittens, they look like rats! Will see if Mocha leaves these alone.

So yeah life in this house is crazy chaotic. B/w the kids, 3 dogs, cats (they are to stay outside and truth be known I'd like the dogs out there too), and DH who farms, cold weather, garage sales, committees I'm on, purses, purse parties, friends, always having 'ideas', things do get crazy around here. But you know what?? I LOVE it!! MOST of the time, i really do. I like my crazy life. I like having lots of things on my plate (even tho i may vent in frustration) I'm thrilled that even tho I'm not working full time outside of the home, i manage to stay so busy i wonder if i should cut back on something(s) (news flash, tomorrow night i tell the CCC board DH is taking my place I'm sure THAT will have drama in and of itself-i can't WAIT for the cat squad to come after me with there claws ready to tear me apart over the indoor garage sale and everything i didn't do right, oh and of course miss PERSONALITY herself is queen cat!!)

OK this has got to be one of the longest posts I've done. See I just get going and one word spawns an entire different route!! That is why for my sister to come visit me overwhelms her. She would have been frazzled by the cats and the kids running around, etc but it's my life and i love it!!

My Birthday

I'm just going to share pictures today!! i think they say it all! My FFS made me a b-day cake so her and the kids came over for lunch and cake!! So sweet!! My parents are coming this evening to take us out to eat, I'll try and take pictures! Enjoy!!

My Cake


I look tired! But then i thought i could sleep in today too only to be up and downstairs by 630!

Not to mention my kids were little stinkers. WOW even DH got annoyed with them! We had 7 deer pass right outside our window so that distracted everyone and the kids forgot about all there fussin they were doing!


D and C'man


Miss A! Note that cat on the deck. That white blob is the white momma cat who no longer has ANY kittens b/c mocha killed them ALL!!! Well now 'apple' (named by C'man) is NURSING OF OF HER!!


FF-S and her little guy!

Little C girl

Some miscellaneous pictures.

Miss A loves HATS!! Last night she was in such a pleasant mood! I didn't even put her to bed till 8. Her and C'man were playing so sweet. She came running out of the play room sporting a hat!

C'man loving bath time. Not so with his sister!!

This is C'mans idea of helping me put towels away.

Right now i'm shopping on target.com with a gift card from LaLa!!! THANKS SO MUCH and i plan on spending every penny on ME!!!

Happy Birthday

Our little man, or C'man, is THREE today. I want to share an email I'd sent to my dear friend Laura about the day he was born. I found it while cleaning up files on our computer and it moved me to tears as well as bring back the memories. Three years.....


So a year ago I was sitting here thinking this could be my last day here at work. Will it be today he’ll be born!? Shortly after lunch my cell ph rings…rock a bye baby tune. Oh my GOSH my heart skipped many of beats. Could this be IT!! Everyone that was at work with me, rushed to my office. It was BM's mom, BM's water broke. Come on up he’s coming!! So after saying my joyful good byes here at work I jumped in my car, called DH and said he’s coming!! It’s time!! I’ll meet you at the hospital!! I call mom, laura, ruth, and gosh I’m not even sure who else!!

Once to the hospital I was taken to the delivery room. Not sure how to approach the situation, I quietly walked in and was happily greated by BM and her mom. BM was having contractions and not even feeling them. We conversed the rest of the afternoon. To be honest I’m not even sure about WHAT!! DH made it and we all hung out for awhile. Then towards supper time it was decided we should go grab a bite to eat and let them have some quality family time. BM's dad and brother were there by then. Upon leaving her mom said, ‘go enjoy yourself, this is your last meal as just a couple’. We ate at subway, talking on the phone to everyone we could expressing our excitement. But we inhaled our food and got back to the hospital to find that BM was taking a bath. Her favorite!! We went to put our stuff in the family waiting room where BM's MOM came and said, she’s a 10, he’s coming!!!!!!! So we rushed down the hallway where we listened as our son was being born. Hearing her screaming brought tears to my eyes as I thought a/b the unselfish act she was doing. Going thru all this pain (she had no epidural) to give this child to a family knowing that she may never see again.

We stood in the hallway listening to her mom saying you can do it!! And I was saying push push sweety push!! I grabbed my phone calling my mom and LAURA. (remember that!!) You were the first to hear his cries!!! Yes he came out screaming!! BM's mom, came out and got us and said we could stand in the little room in labor and delivery. We quietly walked in and watched as our sweet baby boy laid whaling on the table to be cleaned up. Boy did he have a set of lungs. It felt like forever but here came BM's mom with our son warmly swaddled in blankets. She handed him to me and said ‘here he is’. I just cried and replied he’s beautiful!! I felt tears of joy and tears of sadness as his birth g’ma laid him in our arms!!

The next 72 hrs were long. But we also had some great time with BM. Times to encourage her in her future plans, thank her for this gift of life, and just how much we cared a/b her. We had some amazing moments that her, nor us, will ever forget. We met all the family, and I mean ALL the family, VERY ackward and will not let that happen again. We left that nite exhausted. I went to my parents thinking I’m a MOM!!

Emotions were high for me. I went from a wife to a mom and wife in less then 6 hrs. I was so happy but so emotionally warn out. Was I going to be a good mom? Would I love him like my own? Would BM be ok? Would he be ok? What happens if he stops breathing? I’m sure ‘normal’ questions and fear.

72 hrs later we left the hospital with our son. He was beautiful, amazing truly a gift from God and BM. We took some final pictures and said our goodbyes to BM and her mom. And then it was time for us to leave. Life began for us as we left that hospital as a family.

God bless BM for her decision. Our hope is that as this one year anniversary is here she continues to be happy with her decision. We are told she has had NO regrets. That she will continue to seek comfort in knowing he is loved and taken real good care of. That family and friends will continue to support her in any way she feels is needed. Not many days to past that we don’t think of her and wonder how she is. But we trust the Lord is taking good care of her and that she is loved by us.

Blessings to you BM. You made our dreams of having a family come true. Thank you!!









Three years ago NOW!!!


Goll it seems like that was just yesterday!! Now i'm off to find his CARS cupcake wrapper thingies that he took off with. Where would a 3 year old take them too?? Off on my mission.....

She's ONE

I tried posting this yesterday but it wouldn't let me. So here it is today. This farm house now has a 2 yr old AND 1 yr old!! Miss A turned ONE yesterday. I couldn't believe it where did the year go. At nap time I sat upstairs in the rocking chair and rocked her as she babbled away as if she was telling me about how in 16 years i'll be taking her to get her drivers license. NOOOO....I had tears streaming down my face as she fell asleep in my arms and i thought about how lucky i am. After all the IVF treatments and the adoption process and here I sat with this child that I thought I'd never have. God definately had a plan in mind for us and sometimes I wonder if i messed with his plan by doing the IVF cycles. It's like he wanted us to adopt and then he blessed us with a pregnancy. Not many people can have this many experiences in there journey to be a parent. Although it was through all those IVF's that made my faith in God come out! Anyway, she is a little chunker now, she was so petite when she was born. She has quite a personality of wanting things now and her way. She hates being told no and if she's by the TV her brother will come over and gently pull her down. She'll sit down, clench her fists and growl. She's easily excited. She jumps up and down on her toosh and flings her arms. She loves to eat and while she isn't TO picky she loves her grapes and yogurt.
We celebrated the day by going on a little road trip with friends of ours and then out for breakfast. She had a great nap almost all afternoon and we went out to eat with DH's parents and brother.
Happy Birthday Baby and we wish you MANY more!