What a week!

This has been a week its been busy, long, emotional, tiring and not much sleep. I knew going in to the week that Wednesday Kenny would leave for Chicago for school for two days. Ok no big deal he's done that a lot I have survived with the kids. However on Monday I could tell it was going to be a very trying week for my patience.

First part of the week I got a text from one of my closest best friends telling me she would be moving in January. Her husband is in the Air Force and right now they are in Illinois just a little over an hour from me. Well they are being transferred to.......Hawaii!!! I am happy for her but also very sad because she will no longer be an hour away. We are running our first ever half marathon next month and it will probably be the only race we get to do together before she leaves. The whole first part of the week I was very emotional not sure how to deal with that. I know there is Internet, facebook, text etc but knowing your best friend is far far away sucks. So we have decided to make the most of it and make trips to see each other more before they go and then have one day that is just for us that we can shop get massages eat do what ever we want. So maybe if they are there long enough I can save up some money and take my first ever plane ride and go visit her I have always wanted to see Hawaii.

Tuesday was Nathan's 3rd birthday we ate at McDonald's and he seemed to have had a great birthday.
Wednesday Kenny was leaving and he worked a full day and then came home to get ready. Kenny's parents had asked earlier in the week if they could have Nathan from Wednesday thru Friday. I wasn't to sure about that I was wanting to spend time with the kids. But my patience had been wore thin with their bickering and thought maybe having a break from each other would help.

There was no school for Friday so Blake called his Papa Mitch to ask if he could come over Thursday night and help him farm on Friday. I also had a board meeting Thursday night so it worked out ok that both kids were somewhere that they could stay and not have to be up late then go home and get up early next day. I picked Blake up from school at 5 after his tutoring and we went and ate dinner together. He had been asking to do this for awhile now so we went and ate.

Tonight is another busy night Blake and Nathan are staying the night with Connie and Dwayne. I just hope Nathan don't cry when I drop him off he has been going thru a stage that sometimes he cries when I drop him off. Not sure if its to test my patience or to test his independence. But I am sure both boys will have fun tonight and tomorrow as they always do there.

Tomorrow I will get up early to go help with an auction then mid afternoon leave to get ready to go to a wedding. The wedding is at a winery in St. James I am excited about it never been to a winery and excited to see Stephanie get married and start her new life oh and to try some wine. Hope to get some pictures from the wedding and reception. Dress code is jeans boots and nice shirt and I am pretty sure the seats are haybales. I can't wait to see how she has it all decorated and to see her dress. She loves pink as much as I do so I can bet there will be lots of pink thrown in everywhere!!!

Nathan is 3!!!

Oh my where did the time go my youngest turned 3 yesterday!!!! We had his birthday party with another little girl who turned 3 two days sooner than him on Sunday. I need to remember to bring my camera with me so I can upload photos. Honestly I haven't even looked at what was taken. A friend took my camera and spent the day taking pictures which was sooo nice because I was to crazy busy to take any.

Last night we took the kids to McDonald's for happy meals and so they could play in the play place. I would have rather stayed home and let them play outside but getting to go there is like a special treat for them. The four of us plus my mother in law ate there for dinner and it was close to 30.00, we could have went to our favorite mexican place and ate real food for that. Anyway the boys had a lot of fun and got the treat of seeing their Grandma Pat on a week night.

Nathan worked hard all last week learning to hold three fingers up and its so cute to see him tell someone he is three. Doesn't seem possible that he is that old he is no longer a baby and close to no longer being a toddler. He is very independent and strong willed which I am glad of well most of the time....

Tonight he gets to go spend a couple of days and nights with my in laws so he can enjoy the nice weather. Blake is jealous because he has school but I told him that when the weekend comes he can go spend some one on one time with them. I am also looking forward to some one on one time with Blake its been awhile since we have had time.

5 Question Friday

1. What is one grammar issue you cannot let go without correction? When I get texts and people have made up their own abbreviations. It drives me up the wall like gn for good night or gm for good morning ty for thank you... Not sure why it drives me crazy but it does.

2. What's your favorite thing about fall? Seeing the leaves change color and wearing hoodies and jeans

3. What's your favourite dish to take to a potluck? Grape salad or corn casserole

4. When do you start Christmas (Holiday) shopping? Ha well depends on finances of when I start, perfect world I'd like to start now and have it done by thanksgiving but real world won't probably get to start until early December.

5. Did you move homes a lot growing up? Nope just once and that was across the yard.

April and Mike's Wedding

This post is long over due but never had the time or right words to put it all together.

September 8th a very good friend of mine got married to an amazing guy. My two boys were asked to be in the wedding and were super excited to get to dress up and look like the big guys. I was a bit nervous coming up to the wedding rehearsal that they would freak out and not do what they were supposed to. Blake was carrying the ring bearer pillow and walking with the flower girl and Nathan was walking with another little boy. They would each carry a sign. The morning of the wedding I got them up and ready they were so excited and Nathan kept calling his tie his necklace and his black shoes his wedding day shoes. They looked so darn cute! I took them to meet Dwayne as he was taking them on to St. Elizabeth to hang out with the rest of the guys and do pictures this was at 9 am and the wedding was at 1. I was worried about them keeping their tuxes clean and slightly worried about Nathan getting tired and crabby.

 

I had Amanda help me fix my hair that morning then Kenny and I got ready and headed to the wedding. I was afraid we would get there to close to time and not get a good seat so I could see the boys. Well we were able to get a great seat and we saw the boys for a couple minutes before the wedding and they were doing just fine (which was a huge relief to me) Even got to see the beautiful bride before the wedding :) When it came time for the wedding I realized that even though I charged my camera batteries all night they wouldn't work so all I had was my phone to take pictures which really really bummed me out and still does that I won't have any pictures of the wedding or the kids walking down the isle. Blake came down ahead of Nathan and of course did great and then Nathan walked down and had his sign turned the wrong way part of the time then saw me up towards the front and ran to me. I was hoping he would have went on by me and up with the guys. He climbed up on my lap and after April walked up he fell asleep on my lap an slept for the rest of the ceremony. It was a very nice ceremony April did an amazing job with decorations.

 

I couldn't wait for them to exchange the rings at the ceremony I knew I was to far back to really see the ring but I still was excited. I knew that April's ring was going to be a surprise for everyone and couldn't wait to see their reactions to it. She had told me about the ring a couple months ago and I kept quiet about it but really didn't know until the day of the wedding that I was the only  one she had told about it. I almost cried was honored to have got to know about a special part of her big day that no one else did. I knew when I saw the ring in person it was the right choice and right ring for her and could tell how much she loved it.

The only picture of the four of us and then only one of the boys and me.

After the wedding and the pictures the wedding party went on a hay ride which the boys were allowed to go on. Blake was so excited and I heard Nathan cried on the way there. He hadn't ever been on a hay ride and was surrounded by people he had only met that day. But they said once they got there he did good can't wait to see pictures from that as well.

Love this picture the boys looked so cute sitting there and Nathan was on April's lap.

 

When it came time for the dinner Kenny the kids and I sat down with another couple we knew. Connie came up and told us we had a spot up at one of the front tables to sit for dinner. I was thinking I didn't hear her right but I got up and went to look. April had each of our names at a place sitting at the table with her parents and grandparents. I had a hard time holding back the tears. I never expected to have seats up there with her family and I think it was just as much of a shock to Kenny. So we moved up there with the kids and ate dinner. The food was awesome, Nathan devoured the corn and the rolls and even ate some chicken. The cake was also wonderful and of course the kids had to eat some of it too. No I didn't get pictures of the cakes either since my phone didn't take very good pictures in that building bummer.

If I would have been smart and thinking I would have took pictures of all our place sittings and kept our name cards..... Duh...... 

Blake made himself a new little friend that day Kylie the flower girl. They were pretty inseparable the entire evening after the ceremony. She is a bit younger than him but must love farming tractors and cows as much as him because I have never seen him be like that with another kid. I may be in trouble in a few years :)

 

By 7 the kids were getting tired of their tuxes so I helped them both change, Blake wanted to change so he could really play and run and not worry about getting dirty. Nathan just wanted his necklace off. When my mother in law left around 8 the kids wanted to go with her. I wish Blake would have stayed to get to dance with the other kids at the reception but I knew he was exhausted.

We stayed for a while longer and danced a few slow songs and then did the dollar dance which seemed to go on for a very long time. I guess I didn't realize how many people were still there until they were all lined up to dance with Mike and April.

I am very happy for Mike and April and can't wait for them to have kids so I can spoil them just as much as they both spoil my boys. Blake said he really likes Mike and when I asked why he said duh mom he's a farmer and drives trucks. Guess April did good picking a guy that Blake approved of since she has always been HIS April.

Fun filled weekend

Ever get to Monday and think gee I need a weekend from the weekend??? That's how I felt this morning as my alarm went off and I looked out to see it was still dark outside.

Was a long busy weekend but had quite a bit of fun along the way. Saturday morning started out way to darn early was up at 5:40 and at the fire house by a little after 6 to start loading the trailer for an auction. Now the weather report said no rain until afternoon then a slight chance. Well it started clouding up while we were packing everything up and by the time we got to the auction it was drizzling. Well that drizzle turned in to a heavy steady rain so from around 8am until noon I was soaked and cold. I was never so happy to get to leave an auction early in my life!!!

I left around noon ran by my work to dry off and change shirts and headed to a wedding shower. The shower had originally been planned to be at a local park under a pavilion but last minute they changed it to Alex's Pizza place which was fine by me! I knew heading to the shower that I would probably not know anyone other than the bride to be and well I was right. Right before the shower started another girl I knew showed up and she sat across from me and she only knew a couple of people there. The shower was nice there were maybe 10-12 people there so the bride to be was able to visit with everyone and we all had a great time. After the shower we had a few hours before the start of the bachelorette party at a local Mexican restaurant. I really didn't want to drive home be there for a few minutes to drive back and I knew Nathan would be upset with me coming and going so quick. Stephanie (the bride to be) told me I could ride out to her house for a bit and we could get dried off and maybe take a nap. A  nap sounded lovely as I was cold wet and tired.

We went out to their house which when she said out in the middle of no where she meant it was a beautiful location quiet tranquil and had a very pretty drive along a small creek to get there. We arrived and her fiance was home watching tv. I had worked with him several times on the ambulance but it was a bit weird being at their home. Stephanie told him we were going to take a nap so he needed to take the kids and go watch tv. So we went in to their master bedroom laid down and took a nap together made me feel like a teenager again at a sleep over! I have to admit it was a lovely nap listening to the rain fall and being all warm under the covers was just what we both needed to get our second wind for the next party. We over slept and arrived at the dinner about a half an hour late oh well better late than never!

The dinner was nice we had a good time then went to another girl's house for the rest of the party. I have only ever been to one bachelretee party other than my own and it was a lot of fun. We had jello shots cupcakes and even a game. They had a passion party consultant there which was a first for me and yes my face was red the entire time! After that lady left we just sat visited and had a great time. It was way out of my comfort zone to be in a group of girls I didn't know but it was also fun. I can't wait for their wedding in a couple of weeks as I am sure it will be beautiful and just as fun.

Yesterday I had to be up early again and at the fire house at 8 to start cooking for the Whole Hog Sausage dinner they were having. I usually stay for the whole event which ends at 6 but I was wore out and really missing the kids so when we were done grilling at 2 I went home. Not sure many were happy about it but I frankly didn't care just ready to be home.

5 Question Friday

1. How long did it take for you to find your wedding dress?
Went shopping with a lady from my work on my lunch break found it in like 15 minutes tried on 4.
2. Someone in your general vicinity releases a NASTY smelling fart. Do you say anything or blow it off?
Hold my breath
3. What is the scariest thing that happened to you or scared you recently?
Having a real live icky snake in my new house behind my couch.
4. Favorite brand and flavor of ice cream.
Blue Bell chocolate
5. Are you able to sleep well in hotels?
Haven't really spent more than a handful of nights in a hotel but no didn't sleep to good in them.

Misc.

I need to make a post about the wedding we attended this past weekend that my boys were both in. However I haven't found the right words yet to compile the post and need to get pictures from my phone to my computer (yes I still struggle with that after having an iphone for over 3 years)


Haven't got my stair climb in yet tried on Sunday but had a lovely sinus headache most of the day. Still I won't give up on it and will get the 2090 steps in.

Been making more time to get walks in daily. Was able to get 1.6 in on my lunch hour yesterday and then another 2 last night on our gravel road. Today I got 1.4 on my lunch hour and found a new place to try tomorrow. Hope to get to walk on the gravel road again tonight since the treadmill gets boring oh about half a mile in.

Slowly getting everything put away in our house and organized and once I do I will take some pictures and post about the house. We were asked this weekend when we were having a house warming party well honestly hadn't thought about having one so it may be something to think about.

This weekend I have an auction to work part of the day on Saturday then home to clean up for a bachelorette party that evening I am apprehensive and nervous as I will more than likely only know one person there yeah way out of my comfort zone! The wedding shower is earlier in the day and depending on how the auction is I may go to it as well. I am shocked to be invited to it and the wedding but excited to see them get married.

Stair climb

I saw this on my news feed on facebook this morning

There was a link you could click to see if they were doing a stair climb in your state. Well they are doing one in Missouri up around St. Louis however its this Sunday and well to late to register or make arrangements to go. Wish I would have found out about it a lot sooner because I would have loved to participated in this.

So since I can't do the actual race I think I will make a goal to get out my step at home dust it off and do 2090 step ups wont be the same but I will still be supporting the fallen fire fighters and getting one heck of a workout in.

Next year I will have to remember to check that website at the end of August so I can get signed up if they have one anywhere close.

A good snake is a dead snake........

I dislike snakes very much. If I know they are harmless and outside way far away from me and my house I am ok. Not ok if they are on my driveway, porch or in my house. Yes you read that right in my house!!!!!!!!!!

Last night I was sound asleep Kenny had just got done in the shower and was watching something on tv. I hear him yelling my name to get up I figured one of the kids were throwing up (Blake had thrown up Sunday night and most of Monday and Nathan threw up twice before bed). Oh no not the case I got up saw him crouched on the couch looking behind it me half asleep asks what's wrong. He said well I didn't want to tell you but I need your help.. we have a snake in the house. And yes my mind went to thinking it was a big huge snake that was 5 inches around and 6 feet long. He wanted a pair of metal tongs to pick the thing up. I refused to look at it handed him the tongs and parked myself on our bed. I heard him grab it and take it out side and kill it, still I hadn't asked how big it was. In my mind I was thinking it was a momma snake and had a whole family in my new house. He came back in and told me it was about the size of a pencil in diameter and not very long. I still refused to go out and look at it, and threatened to keep all the lights on in the house so I could see if I had to get up.

So laying there trying to go back to sleep I told him we were getting our new door knobs and fitting the door correctly so that there is no gaps and no way this can happen again. If he wouldn't have been home kids and I would have been sleeping in the car or there would have been gun shot holes in the floor! And at that ungoshly hour I am not sure who I would have called to come and get it out of my house.

Needless to say I didn't sleep very soundly and at 4am Nathan woke up wanting more milk and I looked very closely around before I stepped anywhere. I am sure it was just a strange chance thing and it better not happen again. But I am NOT taking any chances on it and we are putting the new door knobs in and making less of a opportunity for any varmints or reptiles to come in!!!!

A Monday on a Tuesday

Holidays where you have Monday's off are nice but it always seems like Tuesday is way worse than a Monday would have been?? Maybe its just me who feels that way but I would have almost rather came to work yesterday to try and get ahead of these people who want things that are impossible to do.

After being off work for 6 days I found myself wishing for 5pm well before 9 am this morning how sad is that!!!!

Maybe today is just one of those blah days where my mood stinks and every little thing is irritating me at work today or maybe I am still burnt out and didn't have enough down time on my time off.......

Either way its half way thru this day and tomorrow will be another day!

6 days off........

Back to work after having 6 days off wish I could post that I did something cool went on an amazing vacation but nope nothing fun and exciting.

Even after being away from work for 6 days I still wasn't ready to come back not sure exactly what that means but I dreaded it all night.

It was the longest time I had taken off in the 9 years of working here and the other two times were 3 weeks maternity leave.

We got some much needed rain but it killed the fair which is why I had taken off work. We had the demo derby Thursday night and then the rest of the events I was scheduled to work were canceled. I did manage to get several boxes emptied and put away at the house and the house is starting to slowly feel like home.

I got my table in my bedroom that I had bought at a auction well I didn't technically bid on it I ended up with it after the sale was over but none the less I love the table and it looks great in my master bedroom. I unpacked my pink and white vase that I got at an auction last fall and put in on the table. Still need to unpack picture frames to place on the lower level of the table and then I will take and post a picture.

Also got to unpack my crocks that I had bought at auctions last year that will sit on my counter top and hold my cooking utensils. And unpacked my purple carnival glass. Its still sitting on the counter until I figure out just where I want to put it.

My grandma had me come over several months ago and look thru all her cabinets and china cabinets and tell her what dishes I would like to have. Yes it felt very weird looking at all the dishes I have grown up seeing in there and telling her yes I want this and that...... Well since we have moved she has asked a couple times for me to come over and pack those items up so I can display them in my new home. I am still a bit weirded out by it and it will be strange to walk in her kitchen and not see the familiar dishes in her cabinet. However I had a friend tell me recently that while it may feel weird I need to go ahead and take the stuff, that it will make her happy knowing I got it. I looked at them a bit strange and they said death changes families and someone may decide they want this or that even tho Grandma told me I could have it. I guess it does make sense she has some nice dishes that I wouldn't want to get thrown away or gave to someone who wasn't family. So once I have all my items in their places I will take pictures and do a post about Grandma's stuff.

Sunday I took the kids to Mike and April's small town of St. Elizabeth for their wedding rehearsal and the boys did good. Blake took his job very seriously (ring bearer) even though he wasn't sure why the real rings won't be on the pillow. Nathan did ok for being tired wore out and hungry. Him and another little boy get to carry signs that say here comes the bride. I just hope he does ok and walks down the aisle like he is supposed to. I am planning to have one of the groomsmen have a little surprise for him when he gets all the way up there.

I am so excited that April is getting married to a great guy and can't wait to do a post about the wedding next week!