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:)

Thanks to all who have entered the contest so far!! Keep them coming!! Faith I think you're in the lead with number of entries:) And thanks for posting about it on your blog. Take a look and see how easy it was:) Oh and if you all could leave YOUR blog in the comment that would be great. I'm always looking for new blogs to read! I have some blogs that have gone to private and others that have stopped updating them. So looking for more to read!

My Little Man

Seems that Mr C'man just can't kick this cold. It'll be 2 weeks this Sunday. BUT he was doing better, cough subsided, nose didn't run, etc till the last couple days. The cough is still loose, but deep. He's not sleeping well at night and his nose continues to run. While the drainage is clear, it's still there. Today he's just laying in the chair watching DVD's.
I prayed last night, like I've been doing faithfully for over 2 weeks now, that God would make it apparent what I need to do. With in 2 min. of saying amen, in came C'man to our room (DH was out late last night planting). I decided that was a pretty good sign that it's time to do something.
I'm further worried about everything b/c of the loss of Little Armstrong, reading about what would have been the 4th birthday of a little boy who died from complications of the flu.
Not to mention the constant rattle in his chest that all the docs so far, have said is nothing to worry about. Just things that a mother/parents worries about.
We're heading in today at 310 and get things checked out. For piece of mind I'm going to ask for a chest x-ray. I think it's time for some more extensive testing, for piece of mind that my little boy is OK. Or that maybe he has asthma or something?? Hopefully nothing. When he gets a cold he really gets it.
OH and as luck would have it, we're heading to my nieces Confirmation tomorrow. The last time we were supposed to go to Minnesota, we had to stay home b/c C'man was sick. Miss A actually was sick too.

Just One Of Those Days

How many of you have caught yourself saying that? or at least thinking that? It doesn't matter if you have children, husband, dogs, cats, etc we've all been in situations where we find ourselves thinking that. I can remember days at work screaming 'AHHH it's been just one of those days folks!'
I think I've had more of those 'weeks' being a SAHM. This week is no exception. My patience level is fried. I usually get this way when I have to much going on. I'm thinking it's time to re-evaluate things but I keep putting it off b/c I'm not sure what I SHOULD give up or want to.
I heard yesterday on the news, and then an article today on The Today Show about a mom who was having 'one of those days' and kicked her two 10 and 12 year old out of the car for the endless bickering they were doing. How many of you heard about it? Better yet, how many can relate?
Do i think she's a bad mom for what she did? Certainly not. Do I agree with what she did? No . But can I relate? Yeah, really who can't?
I can't believe she didn't just ride around the block and pick her up or even just down the road. The older girl ran after her mom and got back in the vehicle, but not the 10 year old. (do I see a strong willed child in the 10 year old? Certainly!!) But could she have done much worse? I think so.
Will everyone had learned a lesson after this?? Oh man do I believe so. I bet those girls will stop bickering the next time there mom tells them to stop it:) I've actually done this to my parents. They would go to a near by city and I never wanted to go. I was probably 8 to 10 years old??? Or maybe I wanted them to convince me to go, not telling me we're going. I remember one time they finally said 'fine, stay home!!' They drove away. I couldn't believe they left me. Now granted we lived in a small town, @ 500 people and really NOTHING was going to happen to me. They ended up just riding around the block and picking my sobbing body up off the driveway and away we went. Who won this battle?? I'm thinking I did b/c they came back and got me!
But there was a time when I was 18?? and my parents wanted me to go on vacation with them. I did NOT want to go. And guess what? They left without me. I was honestly shocked at first but then what could they do. Can't physically, or even mentally, make a 18 year old go.
I just finished reading The Strong Willed Child by Dr Dobson and he talked about doing just that. And that very soon the child will be on there own. Parents need to let there child know they trust them and put them to the test. Hmmm did my parents read that book? It worked. I was perfectly fine home 'alone'. I had no parties. Altho I did threaten to mow the yard by putting a BIG 'R' in the middle of the yard. (my dad freaked) I'd never even ran a lawn mower so I was clueless. I did mow, but was almost done when my neighbor came over and showed me how it was a self pusher?? is that what that's called?? I just needed to pull a lever to make it work. Gee thanks!!
In conclusion, I think we really need to try and sympathize with the mother who left her children along side the road. It may be hard for some of you to relate, but I'm thinking many of you may be shaking your head thinking I can SO relate!!
What do you all do when you're having one of those days?? Honestly, share with me, and maybe others, how you deal with every day bickering. Right now my children are at the farm with there Papa checking cows. Many of you don't have that available to you and must just stick it out.

***Give away coming on MONDAY!! Entries for the following:
-posting a comment
-becoming a follower
-linking to my giveaway in your blog

THREE chances to win!! Considering my current 'stats' of visitors, you have a pretty darn good chance!!

Fundraiser

Today I'm doing a fundraiser with my purses at a local hospital. 20% of the proceeds will go to Relay For Life! I hope it's a good day. I'm there from 2-6. As I type this, it's Monday. I'm waiting for $700 worth of purses to come. Part of why it's going to be a crazy week. I have to get purses priced Monday and then Monday evening I have Zumba.

Starting NEXT Monday

Hey everyone. Do to an absolutely CRAZY week, yeah I know aren't they all?? I'm delaying the give away. I'm also not sure how much I'll be on here to post. I will humor you with a quick weekend post and since the kids are sleeping I'll post a couple more to publish.
The wedding- I was a Personal Attendant in my first college roommates wedding this past weekend. Phew, I was exhausted. I ran and ran around. It was fun and I had a great time. That being said, the hotel we stayed in had ALOT to be desired. I thought about taking pictures, but then I thought people are going to be shocked we even stayed there. Good thing I didn't have to worry about our 'safety' b/c for sure we'd had been out of there. The only safety hazard was wondering how the he** we'd get out if there was a fire. Only on floor one but still. Oh yeah and the hazard of wondering if the ceiling was going to fall in on us.
One thing that made us laugh was the note on the door saying everything had been accounted for in the room and if something is missing we'd be charged. Let me tell you, it was so tempting to take one of the electric blue, totally vintage, bath towels. Or the cowboy rope that was on the wall stapled in with fence staples. DH had to convince me to leave it all there as it didn't match our current decade, I mean style. I made sure DH had his shoes on if so much his big toe hit the floor. Oh yeah, and when you sat on the toilet your head almost hit the sink. I could seriously take a shower, reach over the sink, and flush the toilet. LOL
All that being said, if DH hadn't decided to take a nap ON TOP OF THE COMFORTER we would have driven home that night!! But it was a great wedding and I tell you I've never seen so much food. The bride and groom sure had that going on. Seriously how frustrating when you're waiting for your meal and there is nothing to snack on, or during the dance you get the munchies. And the meal itself was GREAT and HOT!! The couple we sat next to, I kid you not, when he took his last 2 bites of potatoes, they were still steaming! While people arrived there was a beautiful display of: Skittles, plain and peanut M&M's, chocolate candies (dove, kisses), peanuts, hot tamales, etc. The supper was baked Chicken, roast beef, cheesy potatoes, 2 salads, dinner roll, and a drink. THEN during the dance out came a meat and cheese tray with crackers! It was all just GREAT!! DH and I could have grazed there all night!
Cheers to the bride and groom. Was a great day despite rain showers here and there. Now safe travels for them as they travel to Chicago for a honeymoon!!!

Where Are You??

I've noticed this past week that my 'hits' are lower. Where are you all? I think it might be give away time. Monday I'll start the give away. I am going to do the book by Dr Laura. I'm going to just have it shipped directly to you. In the mean time, please spread the word to fellow readers of YOUR blog. I will give everyone that 'refers' someone to my blog, an additional entry. I'd like you to also be a 'follower' but that may be a little much.
This is what I'm thinking in order to win:
1. You must be a stay at home mom, OR know someone. (megs, like your sister)
2. Additional 'entries' for every person that you send over to my blog. They must say who referred them so i know who to give the credit to.
3. optional, of course I'd love for you to become a follower of my blog.

You could get THREE entries. Wooo hooo

Hows that all sound? Entries start MONDAY and will conclude that following Friday!

I'm Going Crazy

With these baby chicks. They keep dying on me. I've even taken such drastic measures as taking the weak ones inside, in a shoe box, using a dropper to give them water and THEN put them in a warm oven! They come back to life but then they end up dying when i put them back in with the others.
Funny story, yesterday I was bringing in a couple and I was holding this yellow one and it was looking at me. I was like OK baby, I'll get you some water. Well it wasn't moving, I assumed since it's eyes were open it was alive. I assumed WRONG. The thing was dead already. I freaked out. I'm like good grief what in the world am I doing and what I have gotten myself in to!
I called DH out of the field, he's spreading anhydrous, and said please we need to do something here. I'm getting nothing done b/c I'm CONSTANTLY running out to the garage to check on them. I'm not kidding, i got NOTHING done yesterday. He got another heat lamp, I ran to town and got another bulb and some wood chips. Did i mention that these things STINK!! He cut out two holes in a piece of sheet rock and put the heat lamps in.
Come to find out a friend of mine on facebook, said that cold chicks chirp non stop. Ahhh HAAA they are MUCH quieter. But now I'm worried about fire b/c at one point there was smoke in there. DH worried about that too. So he rigged something else up.
Then last night was my book club, yes I feel so grown up, and then Mom's Night Out. I guess i humored them all with all the chick drama going on. At 130 C'man woke up coughing and coughing. (anyone suggest a good cough medicine I could get, preferably natural. I have one kind and it's just not cutting it) Give him medicine go back to bed and all I can think about are the chicks.
What do I do? Climb out of bed, walk out to the garage, see that more are dead but at least no fire, and then I can't get back to sleep. Back downstairs and get on the computer. This is ridiculous.
Today is a new day and it's not looking any different then yesterday.

Who's Idea Was This Anyway

On Tuesday I came home to THIS in my KITCHEN.

Don't bother counting. 30 yellow and 45 BLACK baby chicks.

Don't worry, I knew they were coming BUT oh my gosh. They are loud AND our cat already got one! You should have seen me. I was chasing her on our deck with a water bottle trying to get her to drop it. She jumped off the deck (no stairs on our deck) I jumped off, she went under the deck, I continued to yell and THEN she went down a hole in to an old septic tank!!! I could hear the poor chic squawking and I could do NOTHING. Oh I was mad.

Before that saga we did get to play with them outside. May I add I am NOT a bird person. This is a HUGE step for me. I'm wondering if getting them from just little chicks will make me 'OK' with the entire getting the eggs process. Miss A expressing my thoughts:
There is a chic in b/w her legs.


Of course Mr C'man loved them. He talked gently to them and repeatedly told me they miss their mommy.

After about 2 hrs of them chirping ENDLESSLY,I called DH and asked him to please get home NOW I'm going NUTS! I couldn't leave the room b/c one time the cat got one and the next time they were jumping OUT of the box. OH and someone let the cats back in and I found a chic in the dining room, still alive.

This is where the are now:

In a baby pool, in the garage. I can't hear them now thank GOODNESS! Oh and then one of our dogs, K-Dee is obsessed with birds. Can ya tell??

The yellow chicks are ours and the black are my BIL's. Those black ones are MEAN!!

I can't believe I have chickens and I hope we can keep them around. We have so many people that will buy farm fresh eggs and I want the kids to experience farm life as much as they can! Next on my list is a bottle calf:)

Easter Recap

Let me first say that the reason I haven't been blogging lately is that Friday AM I decided I didn't need my right thumb anymore and split it open on a cheese slicer. Needless to say, no stitches, well actually I didn't even go to the doc, but the pharmacist freaked out on me @ Target. So yeah it's inhibited what I can do AND i have to worry about staph, specifically MRSA. It's looking better so here I am. ALSO how do you moms who blog, find time to post? Good grief it's virtually impossible.

That all being said, its 745 Tuesday night and the children are sleeping allowing me to do some posting!

I have NOT calmed down any with all the gay marriage debate going on here in Iowa. Well actually the definition of marriage. I don't know how many of me readers have me on facebook, but it pretty much sums everything up for me there. I have listed numerous status' and what a leap of faith that was. I have many liberal friends and even a gay friend. But out of everyone, she's the most civil about it. Another post, another day.

Back to Easter. We spent it at my parents. The kids and I went up Sat. AM after an Easter egg hunt here in town. It was pretty lame and I notice again that even 0-3 yr old's can be bully's. I had to ward off this 3 yr old from taking an egg right under miss A as she leaned down to pick it up. Some parents and there kids:) We ended up with only 4 or 5 eggs and that was just fine b/c it was just tootsie rolls inside. I told my mom that we got there at 1057 and were back on the road home, @ 1113:)

Fancy basket eh???

DH came up Sunday AM. He missed church, I knew that was likely with all the calving going on. My sister, BIL and niece were there from MN and then my brother, SIL and nephew from Washington DC. AND THEN, on Sunday my SIL's PARENTS came. All the way across the state. It was an interesting day on Sunday. But not bad.

Without further ado, here are pictures:

Here are my parents G'children:)

Without my nephew. They are holding there Easter baskets.

C'man was very observant that we all had red on:) Miss A was napping.

There you have it. How was your Easter? any cute pictures you'd like to share? Feel free to post your blog in the comments and will all come check them out!!

Spring Time On The Farm

So remember that snowstorm I posted the other day that we were supposed to get? Well guess what?? We got like a trace of snow! We were SO DARN LUCKY! Other areas to the north and south got @ 8-11 inches but we got as good as nothing! Now tell me, how does that work. For 5 days straight that's all the weather channels talked about. In fact events were cancelled already Friday night in anticipation of this huge snowstorm. Even at the 10 news that night, they were warning us. And I wake up Sunday to a dusting. But that's all OK with me. I was thrilled they were wrong! But I also know that here in the next couple months, as the weather gets warmer, they speculate about storms like they did this one, it's not going to be snow but tornado's! Had that been the case there is no doubt I'd had had our entire house packed in our basement:)

I think it's safe to say Spring has sprung! Know how I know?? The cows have started having babies. We went looking for baby's today and here's some shots of our little adventure.

Here are the kids, DH, and the dogs, heading down the road. Shhh I know no carseats.









The kids in the pickup getting ready to check out the babies.












This would be C'mans first calf from his momma cow. I guess he has some weird hair 'do' on his head. To far away to see it.















The momma cows are real good at hiding the baby. We looked and looked for this one and found it all huddled up in this pile of tree branches. Do you see it? We were actually able to get out and pet it.

Here's a protective momma! You really don't want to get b/w momma and her baby. We were lucky we could get out and pet this one b/c the momma was not near us. But you need to keep an eye out and be quite. Unfortunately Miss A does not know how to be quite and as soon as she got near the calf she was busy yelling for it's momma and it jumped up and took off. But C'man did get to touch it.

And the our ever so stylish Miss A. I don't know where she comes up with her outfits but they are pretty classic!

Does this 'life' interest any of you? I always find it so fascinating so see how others live, do you feel the same? Oh and speaking of that, the families that i met in Florida, are you out there? Do you have blogs and if so would you mind sharing??

Dr Laura

I'm listening to Dr Laura on Focus on the Family. Are you all familiar with her? She's talking about how important a job it is being your child's mom! And with that, being a stay at home mom. (SAHM). She has a new book out: In Praise Of Stay At Home Moms. It's very encouraging b/c they are talking about why it's important to be a SAHM. Seems we always hear the stories about how hard it is to be a working Mom. But for many, that's a choice. You don't have to live in the beautiful house with 2 car garage and newer cars, wear new clothes, etc. But let me tell you it's no easy task being a SAHM either. It has challenges just as much as being a working mom. But I take it any day over working outside the home.

I really listened carefully when they talked about the transition becoming a SAHM from a working mom. Oh man how I can relate!! Been there. I could so relate to the lady saying how it feels like you're catapulted into being a SAHM. You try to find groups to belong too, but can't seem to find somewhere to fit in. Feeling like a fish out of water. That was so how I felt when i started staying home. I remember my first MOPS I went to, I thought there is no way I can fit in here. I felt so out of place. And like the speaker said, felt like she was at a Betty Crocker convention. That is so true. NOW i feel like I fit in no problem. It was just that transition that was SO hard.

And the great question I'm sure we've all been asked while in a group setting of any sort and someone asks you:

'And what do you do?'

Dr Laura's response: "I take a house and make it a home"

No doubt we should talk with great pride in what we do, and then share an exciting story that just happened!! Or something that humbled you in to realizing how important it is how you're home.

Comments about how your kids are better adjusted, etc on either side, are worthless she says.

Tell you what, I'm feeling like this book should be a give away!!! What do you think? I'll give you details in a later post! But I do know that you need to be a SAHM to enter. I think we need to support one another. I feel there is more support for those that work outside the home moms, I know b/c I was part of that group. I know for certain there is far less support for the SAHM's. I've been on both sides of the fence

Gay Marriage Cont.

In follow up to my previous post about the recent gay marriage I have some information that backs up my feelings. Not sure if any of you are going to check out the links, but I feel I need to post them. The first if from Focus On The Family. Its about 5 min?? and the broadcast continues on.

Then the following from the Iowa Christian Alliance. April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1998, and so now it is up to WE THE PEOPLE to show our legislators that they must LET US VOTE on a constitutional amendment.
This decision isn't only about "moral issues" - this is a breach of the constitutional separation of powers! The Iowa Supreme Court has attempted to make law - which is NOT the role of the judicial branch.
This decision is anti-family AND unconstitutional!
We need to tell legislators - "take your power back!"

If you check out this website for an entire page of information. Very good information!!

Bet You Wish You Were Here

Hey everyone. Please be VERY jealous of us in the Midwest right now. For two reasons. One we are about to get socked with a BLIZZARD. This is what a local news channels says:


***Blizzard Warning for Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon****
We have seen light to moderate rain falling across Siouxland so far today, with a little snow mixing in in far western counties. The transition from rain to snow will continue moving east through the evening and overnight hours. Once that changeover happens very strong winds will cause travel conditions will deteriorate immediately, with whiteout conditions and drifting snow. Your best bet is just to stay home tonight and Sunday morning or until the snow winds down. If you do have to travel, make sure you let someone know your travel plans, take a winter survival kit, and stay with your vehicle if you become stranded.



are ya jealous? Don't be!! This sucks. It's freakin April 4th and we're going to likely get over 6 inches of snow! My parents are going to get possibly over a foot!! Right now the wind is blowing some 40+mph. There is some rain in the air, but no snow. It's coming tho. I think by 6PM they said the blizzard warning goes in to effect.



Now the other thing that makes me proud to be from Iowa, NOT!! Iowa has begun the process of legalizing gay marriage. I know most of you know how I feel about this and when i get a little more time, maybe I'll expound. But lets just clarify, I am NOT for this. Marriage is defined as b/w one women and one man. Let's not going changing what is supposed to be.

Why do such a minority have such a big voice? Where is a voice like this for abortion?

I'm not sure what happened to our 60+degree weather, but its GONE and in place is some snow. It's not bad tho and really not sticking to the ground. Just about 60 miles west, (Nebraska) and North, they are predicting 6 inches of snow. Sorry NE people, but you can HAVE IT! I want to be done with winter. Even tho it doesn't last long, the snow, it'll be April 1st tomorrow, I don't want it!!

Today was a busy AM. I had 2 moms come over that home school. Then a friend of mine who home schooled their 3 children back in the day when it was really unheard of. B/w the 2 moms, and me, we had 12 kids here!! This place was a rockin. It went good tho. The mom with 7 kids, they are all so well behaved and really everyone had a blast. But I think the person who had the most fun was C'man. He was in his glory with so many kids to play with. There actually was only 3 boys out of the group.

I tried to keep everyone at bay so the mom's could talk, listen, etc. I did pop in from time to time and try to listen. I'm so on the fence about this home schooling. My friend Shannan told me yesterday that she heard a radio program where a mom just couldn't do some subjects herself. She found a retired teacher who she traded cleaning her house, for teaching subjects she wasn't comfortable in. Hmmm...how cool. i wonder if anyone would teach for purses???

I know we're NOT going to home school this upcoming school year. We are sending C'man to Pre-School. But we are staying open minded on both sides. Time will tell I guess. The main thing we as parents must do is stay vigilant in what our kids are learning. We need to read the books, study the material and really understand what they are learning AND if it meets our morals and ethics. Shannan told me that 75% of high school students loose there faith in HS. 95% loose it in college. That is absurdly high!!! But it makes sense. The public schools are taking every aspect of God out of there curriculum. They can't say how would God respond to that kind of behavior? Or do you think that was the right thing to do??

These thoughts of mine are NOTHING against the teachers. Let me make myself clear on that. As stated earlier, I have a BIL and SIL that are both teachers, and my other BIL is a College Professor. But what's happening, I feel, are the books are changing and the teachers are just teaching what's in the books. Not realizing what it's really saying, or noticing the direction things are going. The Government is becoming more and more involved and telling them how our children will be taught. It's no secret that many teachers/administration/etc are Democrats. Probably WAY more on both coasts then here. The Liberals are driving 99% of what are children are learning.

So yeah, the thought process in my head continues on. I want my kids to keep there faith and I will need to be more vigilant then EVER that every opportunity to talk about God and faith is discussed. When I subject my kids to 8 hours of 'learning' in a public school and as our country turns more and more away from the belief of that this Country was founded on, I may find it best to educate my kids right here at our kitchen table.

Not to mention that I guess now the big thing is teaching kids how to FEEL vs educating them!