I can't believe that spring break is half over it is going way too fast for me. Sunday we spent Easter with J's parents after church. GG and Monkey were in the Easter program and they were so cute. Monkey kept pointing at me and telling everyone "There's my mommy!" He is such a little ham. He was also hugging one of his friends while on stage. GG was the loudest one singing. She just loves being in the spot light. When the older kids were singing she was in the pew dancing! She can't wait to be older so she can be in the children's choir. After we ate dinner Liz showed us what she is planning on doing to her room. They were getting rid of her desk, dressers and bed. I asked if I could have the table because I want to use it for scrapbooking. She said sure. We ended up taking one dresser for the baby, the table for me and the bed for GG's room. So the last two hours there was Liz getting everything out of the dresser and taking down the bed so we could bring it home. Monday we switched the kids rooms around. GG's stuff went into the smaller bedroom and Monkey's went into the bigger room because he is going to share it with Red. That was an all day chore let me tell you. I didn't realize how much stuff they each had. We also took the kids to the doctor, Monkey has been breaking out in hives. We are going to have them both tested for allergies sometime in the next month. We also went to my dad's to drop off the organ, that is where we put my new scrapbooking table!!! J washed our van while the kids played outside and I was in the house finishing up the room switch. I was so tired from the long busy day we had and talked J into going to Subway for dinner :) Today I was planning on going through the kids clothes but I just wasn't motivated. So I did the rest of the laundry, went grocery shopping and played outside with the kids for about 4 hours! We had a picnic lunch outside and they were both so excited about that. We also went to the girls soccer practice and played at the park. GG helped with practice and ran after balls for the girls. She loved being able to be apart of the practice, you could just tell from the big smile on her face. Plus, she talked about how she helped the whole way home! It is now 6:30, J is reading books to the kids and then we are putting them to bed. I love having nice weather outside that we can turn off the heat, open up the windows and be outside!!!!!

My days are all messed up because we didn't have school on Friday I keep thinking it is Sunday! Yesterday we went to lunch with my dad and then went downtown to get J a duty bag, well they didn't have one he liked so we stopped at his parents and got directions to another store and went there. So we spent a lot of time in the car but it was fun. This morning I got the kids up and dressed and we went to an Easter Egg hunt at Grandma M's church. The kids had a lot of fun. Then we ran a few errands and ended up back at their house for lunch. I am planning on staying here for another hour and a half so that J can sleep. When we get home we are going to be dying eggs. Then tomorrow is the Easter program at church and both kids are in it then we are going to my in-laws for Easter lunch. It should be a very fun rest of the day and tomorrow!!! That is it for me.

Wow what a day it has been for us. I wake up this morning and J didn't come home from work. No big deal because he might have arrested someone or was on a call...a number of things that he would of needed to stay late for. So I got the kids ready and we left for school. At about 9:45 my mom-in-law walks into our class and waves me over. She then tells me J has been in a car accident. But he is OK. So I called the police department to find out more details and where J is at. Then I call the hospital and finally get to talk to him. It was a bad car accident and he definitely had angels protecting him this morning. The accident happened about 3 hours after he would of been home so I was right in thinking he was working, he was but he just didn't make it back to the police station. So I had to tell the kids what happened and that daddy will have cuts on his face and hands from the glass on his car. GG was pretty upset about it (she told me she likes the way daddy looks and didn't want him to have cuts on his face) and I'm not really sure what Monkey thought. I just wanted to prepare them so they didn't freak out when they saw him. Then right after snack, about 10:30, Monkey comes up to me and says, "I'm itchy mommy" as he lifts his shirt. He had broken out all over his stomach so I had to take him to the nurses office but I had to get the rest of the class up stairs for gym because Barb was having parent/teacher conferences. Then this afternoon I had a meeting with the principle but that went good. Tonight for dinner we ordered pizza, J wanted that to eat and we had a free pizza. I had GG asked J if we should order two pizzas. He told her no and then I told her to tell him it was only 14 inches, we normally order 18 inches. He started laughing and came out to me and said I had no idea what she was talking about when she says "daddy it is only 14 inches!" Anyway I am going to give the kids a bath and snuggle with my hubby.

Well it has been awhile since I have been on here so bare with me! We made it through the first week of J's new shift only 13 more months to go! I finally spent the rest of my Christmas money and we bought a DVD player for the van and for J to use at work so he can stay awake. This new shift is working out pretty good, in the fact that J can help me in the morning get the kids ready for school. On Tuesday the kids and I went to soccer practice with J. Before we went outside I took GG to meet her next year teacher and see the room she will be in. Her teacher told me to bring her back again and she will get to pick out her seat and locker for next year. She was pretty excited about getting to pick them out. She also liked her class for next year. Then we went to the park to play while daddy was at practice but it got too cold so we went into the preschool to play with the after school kids. When J was done the kids and I convinced him to go out to eat. The kids wanted McDonalds so we went there even though I wanted Jimmy's. Then we came home the kids got baths and I put both kids to bed and J then I left for the LLL meeting. On Wednesday the kids and I ate at school so that we could go straight to a new playgroup. It was pretty fun considering I lost track of time and we ended up getting home after 4 and I had told J we would be home at 3, oops. Thursday was St. Patty's day so we did fun things at school. I told the kids that I would take them to Mickey D's for a shamrock shake after dinner and we got daddy to come with! As I was getting the kids ready to go J set up the DVD player in the van so that they could watch the movie while drinking their shakes. After we got our treats we sat in the parking lot at GG's Cubbies watching Monsters Inc. and then GG went to Cubbies and we drove around trying to find a cheap gas station, which worked out good because Monkey got to watch a good portion of the movie! Then yesterday nothing really exciting happened but J grilled steaks and they were really good. I can't wait for nicer weather. Today we have cleaned and done laundry. Next year I will be doing my cleaning and laundry while the kids are at school, I can't wait. Well that is it for me.

Friday we had a great time with Grandma at Olive Garden....YUM! I love that place, I ate so much ;) Then I had to get my glucose test taken and I think I passed it. I felt fine and I was actually able to drink that nasty stuff without gagging. The first 2 times it wasn't cold and this time they gave it to me cold, so in the future if I ever need to take one again for any reason I am not drinking it unless it is COLD! The blood draw wasn't even that bad. Saturday was a very fun filled day. J and I had our OB tour and April came over to watch the kids. GG kept calling her Marni and Monkey said her name like Ape-per-role it was funny. Then that night we had a wedding. GG loved getting ready for it we painted her finger nails light purple to match her dress and we put her hair in clips. The kids had a great time at the wedding. They had goody bags for the kids at our table with things in it for them to do while they waited to eat. I thought that was a really great idea! They also had a children's dish of chicken strips and french fries. Good thing because I don't think the kids would of eaten the other chicken or steak. GG's teacher was at the wedding and so that made it more special too. That was a very late night for both the kids. Then Sunday we went to church without J because he worked that night and needed some sleep. We hung out at g and g A's house until it was time to go to our friends' Baby Open House. The kids got to hold a 4 week old baby boy and they were tickled!!! Today both kids went to school with me and it actually was pretty ok.

Funny GlamorGirl sayings from this last week...
Candles were going in our bedroom and she asked, "Can I turn off the candles?"

Getting ready for the wedding we talked about dancing with each other...
GG: I only want to dance with Monkey
Me: I don't get a dance? Or daddy?
GG: Well I'll dance with all my people!

There was one more but I can't remember it right now. Monkey told me the other night that he wanted to have a baby GG. I love the fact that he loves her so much but we had to explain to him that there is only one GG and she isn't a baby anymore. I think he understood?!?!

I can't believe it the last two days the kids have been outside riding bikes and today it is snowing!!! J is on his days off and then he goes to midnights :( We ran some errands today and tomorrow we have a lunch date with J's mom. Saturday we have our ob tour and April from church is coming over to watch the kids, they will be excited about that. Then we have a wedding. GG's teacher was also invited to this wedding so that should be a lot of fun for GG to see her teacher outside of school. I feel bad though because we are missing a different wedding from friends at church. They are getting married 2 hours away and their reception 30 minutes from the wedding , last time we had two weddings on one day we just didn't go to either but this time I made J make a choice between the two. So we are going to the one of his friend from High School, it should be like a high school reunion...and J can show off the kids! Well I need to start dinner.

Look at me go...4 days in a row! I only got on here to tell one (ok maybe two) cute things that Monkey did today. When GG and I got home from school (the boys had gone grocery shopping) J gave me flowers and Monkey told me they were from him! He picked out the flowers and was really proud of himself. They were beautiful! Then he tells me, "I have to a secret for you." I say, "ok what is it?" He runs over grabs my head so he can whisper in my ear says, "I went walking..." then blows a raspberry on my cheek! It was the funniest thing he has done to date. I asked him what the secret was again just to make sure that wasn't a fluke and he did the same thing!!! Daddy teaches him some pretty silly things :)

MY LITTLE GIRL!!! You just have to love her :) These are parts of a conversations we have had over the last few days, I just thought these parts were really cute and funny.
Right before I tucked her into bed, we read and talk...
GG: Mom I really love your boobs.
Me: Oh really?!?!
GG: Yeah, because we don't have to buy bottles for the baby. You can just nurse him.
Me: Yep your right!

GG just woke up and I was already dressed for school...
GG: Oh mommy I really like your dress. When can I wear it? (It is maternity!)
Me: When you get married then have a baby!
GG: Ok.

J had a buyer come look at the truck today and the guy wants it but didn't have all the money so he gave J a down payment and is bringing the rest tomorrow. We still have the truck sitting in the driveway so the guy has to come back or he is out his money! It will be nice to have the driveway vehicle free. Tonight for dinner I made homemade pizza, we haven't had that in forever and it is cooking right now and smells so good. I think that we will spice dinner up and have a picnic in the living room, always a fun thing to do when eating pizza! This morning I couldn't believe the way Monkey was sleeping. Last night while we were sleeping he kept moving towards me and I was move away for some room. When I woke up his head was where my head should of been and my head was hanging half way off the bed. Not to mention that our bodies were laying the wrong way on the bed. It was a weird night, he usually isn't like that. I have noticed lately that Monkey is coming out of his shell more. Whenever we go to our neighbors house he is always quiet when we get there. But you should see him before we even leave our house to go there, complete nuts! Well when we were outside yesterday he was talking up a storm to Jean (our neighbor). She couldn't believe it. But he was really outgoing at Kyle's basketball game too. I really like seeing him act the way he does around us with other people. I'm sure he will be totally ready for school by himself come fall!

Well we ended up not going to the Kids' Expo, last night when J was at work he talked to a guy who worked it and they said there was no room to hardly walk. If you brought a stroller it was near impossible to move! Our neighbor went today and said it was crowded today too. I think we made a good decision because instead of going there we played outside for 3 hours! It was beautiful out. All the neighbors came over to see our new van and then they stayed and we talked the whole time while the kids played. The kids rode their bikes, ran around, and helped J wash the van, car and truck. J said he got 15 emails about his truck and someone is coming to look at it tomorrow so hopefully by the end of the week it will be sold! Well that is it for now. It will be dinner, books and bed for us! Monkey didn't take a nap so both kids will go to bed at 7 :)

I find it hard to keep up with this journal because we have become so busy with different activities! Last night the kids and I went to a basketball game for my brother Kyle. He was on a weekend tournament and the first game happened to be 5 minutes from our house. So we went! The kids loved it and it gave us something to do while J was at his probation party. Monkey was cheering for Uncle Kyle before the game even started. It was funny. GG sat with me and watched the whole game I was amazed at how interested she was in it. On one of the time outs the ref gave the game ball to her to hold. That sure made her night! But then this guy sitting next to us decided that Monkey should be holding the ball and took it from her and handed it to him. He wasn't even paying attention to what was going on and would of been fine without the ball. So then Monkey had the ball and decided to throw it so GG got it back, which it should of never been taken away from her in the first place. Adults can do stupid things! Don't we try and teach our children not to take things away from people??? So why would that man take the ball out of her hands? The worst part of it was that Monkey then became upset that GG got the ball after he threw it!!! He shouldn't of even had it to begin with. Well Kyle's team won so that was fun. I have another vent too about school. Just to go along with how some adults can be so dumb. We had a mother (who stays home) bring her child to school with a fever! She gave him mortin for the fever but still brought him. HELLO! Is anyone in there? When we got a hold of dad we found out that he had a fever on Thursday as well, and he was at school that day too. I just felt so bad for the poor little kid you could just tell he felt miserable. When mom came to get him she was in the middle of dying her hair. That is the reason he *had* to come to school? So you could dye your hair! Ok I feel better now. As for today we went to my dad's and got our van!!! The kids are really excited about getting to ride in it. But they aren't too happy about us selling the truck. I totally understand because in the truck they get to sit in the front seat with daddy and it is special. But to keep the truck would be silly of us because with the car it will be able to hold five people...when they are out of car seats! Tomorrow we are tentatively planning on going to the Kid's Expo after church. If we do go it will be great fun. Well that is all I have for now.

First I have to write about yesterday!!! When GG woke up I told her that she was going on a special date with daddy that night. She was so excited about it all day long. She couldn't wait for the time their date started :) J got home from soccer practice at 5:30. GG had eaten dinner and we were getting her ready for the date. She put on her favorite dress and she wanted me to braid her hair. She wanted to look pretty for daddy. Then J stood at the door and she made her entrance. Then he put her coat on her and they left. I gave Monkey dinner and I cleaned the fish tank. When he was done I took him to McDonalds for some "green ice cream" (shamrock shack) and he played. We got home about 10 minutes before they did. All day long J wouldn't tell me where he was taking her, he wanted me to hear it from her. So when they got home she burst out, "Mommy, we went to the Library and we got Willy Wonka and Wizard of Oz. We colored these pictures together. Then we got ice cream at the store. I got chocolate my favorite! It was so much fun." This morning she tells me she wants me to take her on a date...hahaha. I told her that we could have a mom/daughter night some night next week. Now that J will be home at night time he will be able to take her on "dates" once a month. Kids need to have that one on one time and did it show with GG last night. Monkey also enjoyed his time with mommy. He told J he got to eat green ice cream at McDonalds. J didn't know my plans for Monkey and I so he was surprised just like I was with their date. Tonight J was wanting to take me on a date but we couldn't find a sitter in such short time. All the people we normally use were busy, bummer. But he said we will do it next week and that way we will have plenty of time to get a sitter! Tonight we are getting pizza from Pizza Hut we have a free large pizza coupon.

Oh my do I love my kids! Last night Monkey was playing in his room and when he got tired at about 8 he came into my bed and said, "Mommy, I want to snuggle with you. I will protect you." Then he puts his little arms around my neck and falls asleep. He is so sweet. I really don't know how he is going to protect me while he is sleeping :) This morning GG informed me that when she wears pants she looks like a boy. Apparently she can only look like a girl in a dress! Today at school was GG's teachers birthday along with her friend Ezra. So they got cupcakes! Monkey ended up coming to school later because J subbed for the High School. Now he is at soccer practice. Between school and practice J informed me that Monkey needs to go to school tomorrow because he has to go to a funeral for a co-workers mother. GG over heard us talking about it and she wanted to know who died. She gets so sad about death so I explained to her that his mom was really old, really sick and in a lot of pain and now she is no longer sick or in pain so it is a good thing she died so she doesn't hurt anymore. That put a smile on her face. She doesn't like people to be in pain or hurt. Well I need to finish my grocery list...what fun!

GlamorGirl has her own little nickname for the baby...googly bear! She is such a nut. I found out on Friday that the little boy that she likes will not be at the school next year because he is moving to New York, that makes J happy :) My plan for Friday was to just chill at home but I forgot to send the movies and mortgage bill with J. So the kids and I went out...paid the mortgage, we dropped off the movies, stopped at Target (wanted to see if they had any cute baby outfits), ate at Wendy's and the last place we went was the pet store. We haven't had much success with the fish from Wal-mart so I thought we could try the pet store. We looked at all the puppies, cats, birds, lizards and then the fish. They also got to see turtles and frogs. We got two new gold fish and Monkey named his Ariel and GG named hers Snow White. Monkey's has black on the tips and GG's is white on the tips. I can tell they are so much healthier than the other fish we have gotten. They actually swim around the tank!!! So Petland was the highlight of the night. We got home took care of the fish and the kids went to bed. Saturday we got up and went to the Library as their treat for doing all their jobs. We got books and movies. Monkey loves to play with the toys they have at the library, he's not really interested in the books as much as he is the movies, either! GG's favorite part of going to the library is playing on the computer but the last few times it has been out of order so she has found a new favorite thing to do. They have paraque blocks and pages to make different pictures. She sits and does the pictures with the different color blocks. She has gotten really good at doing it by herself...at first she needed help but not anymore! Another thing she has really started to master is doing puzzles. She will do a 20 to 30 piece puzzle all by herself. She used to get frustrated with them and ask for help, now if you try and help her she gets mad, go figure! Anyways, after the library we watched all of the movies...we got Mary Poppins, Cat in the Hat, and Freaky Friday. It was a lazy night. Today we went to sunday school (I was in the nursery) and then to church. The kids got their lines for the Easter program. GG is the first kid to talk and the teacher told me that they wanted her first because she speaks clear and isn't shy. She is really excited about being in front of the church and has practiced her line all afternoon which is "An Easter Welcome I would bring". The teachers even said that Monkey said his line clearly too. He says, "Jesus died for you and me". After church we went over to g&g A's for yet another yummy lunch. Now we are home for the night. Had a talk with GG today about moving rooms during spring break she doesn't seem to excited about that. I think if she sees the new bed she will be sleeping on it will change her mind?!?! But I just don't know when we will be able to get the new bed. If anything we will leave it the way it is until the baby is about a year old. Not to concerned about sleeping arrangements right now...

One thing I have learned about being a parent. Well there are many actually but the most surprising one is how they stretch you mentally! Have you ever gotten into a conversation with a 4 year old about what the word praise means, in reference to a song about praising God? I know what it means but sometimes the easy words are harder to explain. We made it through that one but it seems like it is never ending. I think she is the only 4 year old that knows what guarantee means! Her questions aren't just one either, you answer the first and she has another one about your answer. I love that she is seeking information but sometimes it is just so draining on me I have to send her to J! One thing for sure is she has a deep desire to know more about God and Jesus. I can't tell you how many conversations we have had about him dying on the cross and rising from the dead. She wants to know how he got out of the grave? Because there was a huge stone covering it. She wants to know why her fish can't rise from the dead? And so on. Monkey has started to become a handful in this department of questions. His are easy right now though. I am just waiting for him to ask "where babies come from?" GG knows the answer to that from watching a baby story with me but Monkey doesn't really sit and watch that show. Speaking of babies I am really excited about this child birthing class I am going to be taking with J and the kids. We are going to practice what it will be like in the delivery room for the kids sake and they all are going to do body art on my belly and make a sculpture for the baby. I will be learning pain cooping techniques so that is new. Right now GG is on Becky's laptop typing names on it. She did her first, middle and last name, Monkey's name, Becky's name and Polly! She wanted to know how to spell Polly earlier and she remembers it. She was taking pictures on Becky's digital camera before that. She loves technology. Well I am going to get a snack we are having a late dinner because Roberta is making it for us.

Wow, it has been a couple days. J was off of work Monday and Tuesday. Monday we did a lot of running around as a family. It was actually kind of fun :) We went to wal-mart and then grocery shopping together. After dinner we rented some movies, the kids each got to pick one out. Before bed we had root beer floats. I haven't had one of them in forever and boy was it good!!! Today at school GG kissed the little boy Ezra. She was pretending he was her husband. The teacher talked to her about saving her kisses for mommy and daddy. It is always something with that one! I told J about it and he wasn't happy at all...he told her she couldn't kiss anyone until she got married, like that is going to happen! Tonight my friend from college is coming over to do our taxes and we are going to order pizza. Hopefully we will get some money back and I don't have to cook tonight :) Tomorrow we are going to my dad's for dinner and to meet with a financial adviser, my dad wants to invest some money for the kids' college. Who am I to tell him no? So GG will be missing Cubbies but the leaders said they would get her caught up next week. I still need to iron on her new patch.

Ok so this is a run down of our weekend! J took Saturday off so that he could go to the Auto Show with a friend. The kids and I were going to get together with his wife but their phone got knocked off the hook so I couldn't get a hold of her. The kids and I didn't let that get us down...we went to McDonalds for lunch and to play. It is always a nice thing to get out of the house in the winter and I don't have to make lunch. It is a win/win situation:) The kids did a great job again this week with all of their jobs/responsibilities so their treat was to go to Toys R Us and pick out one toy. I wasn't really sure how that was going to work since every time we go in there they want every toy!!! But it went surprisingly well, I just explained to them that we were going to walk around the girl section first and then the boys. I told GG I wanted her to see all the toys before she chose one. We walked through the kitchen stuff, my little ponies, strawberry shortcake, polly pockets, baby dolls and accessories, barbies, and then the dress up stuff. She actually waited until we were completely done to say she wanted to go back to the polly pocket section. They had many items to choose from so I helped her out and picked out 4 for her to pick from. Otherwise we would of been there all day:) She didn't object and picked one that had a boy and girl with a car, clothes, shoes, skateboards, and helmets. While she was looking at the polly pockets she was having a hard time deciding if that was really what she wanted. She was thinking about maybe getting a prince barbie doll for her princesses, but ended up with a polly pocket. She came home and spent over an hour playing with them. That is actually what she is doing right now! I am glad she decided on the polly. Then we went to the boys section and walked around. I found a dress up police officer kit and firefighter kit, they were really cute. I held on to the police one while we walked around some more. Monkey really liked the isle of Home Depot tools. They were really cool. I found a tool box with tools in it that I thought he could play with when J fixed things around the house. After looking over all the boy toys I gave Monkey the choice of the police officer kit or the tool box. He choose the police officer kit! It came with sunglasses from the 80's, a vest, badge, binoculars, handcuffs, keys, a watch, fake tickets, a cell phone, and a megaphone. He really likes his toy too and I can't tell you how many times I have been "under arrest" since we have gotten home from that store!!! So needless to say the kids and I had a great time just walking around that store and spending time together. I also started a mental list of Christmas presents...hehe ;) Oh yeah they weren't in the cart while we walked around and they did great. I wanted them to be able to pick the toys up and really look at them. After about 2 hours (which only seemed like 20 minutes) of being in that store we came home. I can't wait to go back to Toys R Us either, so I bet the kids want to go back soon too. I told J this Easter they will be getting a toy in their baskets and no candy, this means another trip to Toys R Us for me. Since Valentine's day I have realized that they eat way too much candy so I am going to be cutting their sugar down majorly. This is partly my fault since I have a serious sweet tooth. It probably has something to do with the fact I was born on Halloween?!?! Anyways, when we got home J was back and we made plans with Jason and Kristy as well as Chett and Megan to go out for dinner. We went to my favorite place Jimmy's, yummy! Then we all came back to our house. GG showed off her new toy and then played in her room before bed. Now you have to know GG to know she really likes this toy, because we have company over and she isn't entertaining them she is in her room playing with her polly pockets! Then she went to bed and Monkey watched a movie while we adults played Black Jack. I have never played before and it was really fun. Jason had gotten a poker table for Christmas with cards and chips. So he passed out chips and we pretend played for pretend money. Jason was the dealer, it was like we were in Las Vegas. We played for 3 hours!!! It was a great time and Monkey went to bed before everyone left. He must of been tired because he usually can't fall asleep without one of us with him but he did last night! So that was our Saturday.

So far today we went to Sunday School and Church. Went to my in-laws for lunch and then came home. J is working a hire back, which means they asked him to work on his day off. I told him to take it because he is off Monday and Tuesday so we will still get to see him plenty. I think this is the longest post I have written in awhile!

GlamorGirl is such a little comedian sometimes. She had to go to the bathroom, really bad. She screams, "AAAAHHHHH." I think there is something wrong so I ask her what's the matter. She says, "I have to go pee pee. The pee is saying I want to play in the toilet. So I need to hurry and let the pee in the toilet to play." Where does she get this??? After school she comes up to me and tells me she wants to marry Ezra, because they are always partners when they go to recess. He is the cutest little kid, but she is too little young to be thinking about who she is going to marry:) Seriously, what will she think of next?!?! Today she had show and tell at school and she brought her baby doll named Melody and her tie shoes so she could show the class how she can tie her shoes. The teacher said she did very well telling about her doll and showing how to tie her shoes. I'm sure she was loving the attention!!! Last night Monkey threw up again about 5 minutes after J got into bed...umm. I wonder if him moving the bed made Monkey lose it? I jump out of bed at 1am because he threw up and J asked if he had thrown up, he said it only sounded like a cough. NO IT WAS PUKE!!! Yuck. I have no idea what is wrong with him? I am starting to think he is congested and throwing up is the only way for him to get the mucus out or that the drainage from his nose is upsetting his tummy. I will be sleeping with towels under us for a few nights just in case. Last night while GG was at Cubbies I had Monkey saying the baby names we have picked out and he says them so cute. I am really happy with our choice. I had my appointment and we found out the sex so if you don't know and you want to give me a call and I might tell you...hehe ;) This was a great appointment because I got to talk to the midwife about the policies for labor and delivery, the receptionist didn't know them when I called. GG really wants to be in the room and that is both cool with the hospital and the midwives. I told J this and he wants Monkey to be in the room too. I just never really thought about him being there but if he wants to be I have no problems with it. They are going to go to the childbirth classes with us and all of the appointments and other things to prepare them. I'm not a yeller and both of my other deliveries were very fast so it should be ok. I do have a back up in case they get overwhelmed, for those who are thinking that I am crazy! I just think it will be a great bounding experience especially since I'm not going to get my home birth like I wanted...this is the next best thing. Who knows I could go in the middle of the night??? I really hope not but I could. I think that is about all I have to say :) Have a great weekend!

Last night GG was sitting on my lap and the baby started kicking. I told GG and immediately she put her hand on my tummy. I placed my hand on top of hers and the baby kicked her quiet a few times. She was giggling so hard and then looks at me and says, "Oh no mommy, I'm smushing the baby's house." That in itself was pretty funny. Tonight GG has Cubbies so it should be a interesting night. Then tomorrow at school it is her turn for show and tell. She was practicing earlier with her doll that she wants to bring. Such a show off!!! Well I'm not in the mood to write anymore. Later...

It is Tuesday morning and I am not at school. Last night Monkey's fish died so after dinner the kids and I ran to the store and got him a new one. I was getting the fish in the tank when GG comes running out of the bathroom, "Oh no mommy, come quick! Hurry. Hurry." I had told them to go to the bathroom at get undressed so I thought maybe Monkey had an accident peeing and he didn't quiet make it on the toilet. Well I was right it was Monkey but he had thrown up and he was holding most of it in his hands. He looked so sad sitting there with throw up in his hands and on his legs. So I cleaned him up and made some phone calls so I could stay home with him. It was a good decision on my part because he throw up 3 more times after that. I was trying to think what could of made him sick and I really can't think of anything. He ate 1 1/2 cookies at school for snack and I didn't even give him any of his Valentine's candy. This morning he seems to be feeling better. He has eaten a bowl of cereal and a cinnamon roll and nothing has come up, yet. He says he feels better so I am hoping that is true! I hate cleaning up puke. I almost lost it myself last night cleaning his up.

On a side note I want to mention how great J is...he bought the whole family a new game to play for Valentine's day. That was really sweet. Last night because Monkey didn't feel good I moved all J's stuff into GG's room so he could get sleep in case Monkey woke up during the night. I laid towels down on the bed so it would be easy for me to clean it up, too. Well Monkey woke up at around 5 something and I got out of bed to take care of him and J got up to help. I didn't call for him, he just got up to help because he is just that kind of person. He is always doing things to make my life easier and I love him for it.

What a fantastic weekend! Saturday we went over to grandma M. house and ate lunch the kids got to see their aunt Becky and uncle Travis as well. That was their treat for doing good this week on their jobs! But before we went for lunch we got the kids each a fish for Valentine's day (like last year) Monkey got a black one and named it Nemo and GG picked out a gold one and named it Belle. We also got a toy to go in the bowl, they really thought that was neat. J got called into work Saturday night so the kids and I went to McDonalds for dinner and to play. There were two birthday parties going on and the one party had a girl from GG's class (Samy) and a girl from Monkey's class (Paddu). It was so neat to see GG and Samy's faces light up when they realized that the other one was at McDonalds too. We have only lived here for 7 months but we are starting to see people we know when we go out and about. It is starting to feel like it did at WIU!!! That was our Saturday and then Sunday we went to sunday school and church. For lunch we went over to the M's house and it was some good cooking. We had pork chops on the grill, salad, baked potato, green beans, and corn then ice cream and cookies for dessert. The kids watched a movie and then went swimming with Jason and Kristy, while J and I sat and talked with Mr and Mrs M. We came home ate dinner and had family snuggle time in the bed watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition, that show makes me cry sometimes. People can be so nice. While we were in the bed the baby was doing sommer saults in my tummy, I think the baby was trying to preform an acrobat routine!!! Now it is Monday...Happy Valentine's Day. The kids each had parties in their classes and came home with so much candy, YIKES. After school the kids walked down to the office to see grandma (but she is home sick), I was quiet a bit behind them. When I got to the office this lady was telling one of the secretaries how cute GG and Monkey were walking down there. She said she was right behind them and they were having a conversation about how their mommy's name is Tonya but they don't call her that they call her mommy. We don't ever call her Tonya because she is our mommy and so on. I then realized she was talking about them and I said, "I'm Tonya, they belong to me." Then she told me how adorable they were, which I know :) Tonight J is working so it is the kids and I, we are going to have dinner like normal and then I think we might take a bubble bath!!! We'll see...

AAAhhh Friday! Both kids went to school today, J didn't get home until 5:45am he was off at 11pm. In GG's class the teacher gave out valentine candy hearts for treats. The little boy I talked about before that likes her gave his to her and told her that it said, "I LOVE YOU, GG!" Oh boy isn't this early for kids to say things like that? I was telling my mom on the phone last night about GG. I told you I had taught her how to tie her shoe in 10 minutes, right? Well she didn't wear tie shoes for a couple days and when she put those shoes on she didn't ask for help and she didn't need any. I swear she is as sharp as a whip. How did she remember how to do that after 3 days of not doing it??? She has a great memory that's for sure. I was working with her on sounds of letters for her reading and when I was done with her Monkey said it was his turn. So we went through the alphabet flash cards and each card I showed him, GG wrote the letter down on her paper. She wrote every letter perfectly expect for G, I was impressed! I also want to clarify if anyone is wondering, I sit down with each kid for 10 minutes a day and some days I just give them something to do (like write their name, numbers etc) there have even been days we don't do anything. I contribute how smart they are to the fact they were breastfed and I stayed home with them and still do! It could be genetics too, J is really smart!!! Tonight before bed we are going to watch Scooby Doo Valentine's cartoon so that should be fun. Right now J is snowboarding :)

Tuesday night we had a special night. I had some errands to run so the kids and I got in the car and headed out to do the errands. Then we stopped at Quizno's for dinner, got it to go and went to the Police Department to eat with daddy. The kids loved it. They haven't been to the department in awhile and it is always exciting to them to see all of daddy's police friends!!! In the car on the way home yesterday this was GG and I's conversation. GG: Mom, I want to color some pictures for Mrs. Sherry because her voice is going away. Me: Is she sick? GG: Yes, she can't talk normal so I want to make her feel better. Me: I bet getting pretty pictures from you will make her feel better. GG: I think so. She used to say my name like this GG and now she says it like this GG. *She was explaining to me the difference in her voice. The second time was in a hush voice, it was really cute. She is so sweet at dinner time GG said she wanted to pray, and she prayed Mrs. Sherry would get better. After her prayer she looked at me and said, "Someday our voice may run out too." I did everything I could to not laugh! Today I wasn't so successful at holding my laughter in...at recess GG came running up to me. She started singing a song she made up about her friend Hannah going to Disney World and how she wanted to go with her and when were we going to go there. It was really creative. She sang every word and moved her hands to emphasize her points! Hannah is her *best* friend at least today she is :) She is such a nut! So I have decided to sign Monkey up for the 5 day program next year. I was going back and forth about it but since J is on midnights and Monkey will be one of the youngest in his class it couldn't hurt. He really is a smart little boy, I get questioned a lot about his age because he speaks clear and has a huge vocabulary! Plus he has been potty trained for 7 months now. I just want him to have the confidence GG does in school so the extra 2 days can't hurt. With an infant I'm sure I am going to be glad I choice that path! Not much is going on with us today GG has Cubbies and it is the Valentine's Party so she should have a great time. I know I always like having the evening to spend with just Monkey man. Next year Monkey will go with GG! That is all for now...

Yesterday after church we stayed for a great lunch and then came home. Then at 5pm we went to the M's house for a super bowl party. We ended up having a late night and getting home around 9pm. This morning we had school and afterwards we stayed to talk to a parent about their child. I completely forgot about it, it worked out because the mom brought food so GG was able to eat lunch at the normal time. J told me that GG's ballet class was canceled today so I am glad about that, it is raining outside! I am still not feeling completely better. Sickness always seems to last longer when I am pregnant. I am going to go lay down.

So here is our day. We went to Home Depot this morning and got a curtain rod for the living room. It was the last window in the house that didn't have a shade of some sort. The reason it is the last was because it is a bay window and it measures 120 inches long (10 ft) so we have been putting it off because we knew it wasn't going to be cheap. Then we went to Target to get the curtains, J had been pricing them at various places and they had the best selection for the cheapest price. So now we just have to mount the rod and hang the curtains but J is working right now and I'm not about to do that job. We had subway for lunch, we had a coupon! After Monkey's nap I took the kids to the library. It was GG's reward for getting all her happy faces and Monkey's was getting to pick out a movie. Since they both got to go to the library I let GG get a movie too. They both did a great job this week so they deserve 2 treats! When we got home dinner was done in the crock pot, so I put the movie on for the kids and got their plates ready and we ate a picnic dinner in the living room. Monkey choose Wizard of Oz and GG got Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I forgot to mention that J got his permanent shift for the next year and it is midnights. We are both a little bummed about it but he will make it work, the two older kids will be in school for most mornings during the school year and the baby will be the only one home on most days. The nice thing is J will be able to come home during his shift and check on us :) We have decided to buy a laptop so he can have it at work, midnights during the winter are extremely boring. The department also has a program for buying computers so we will hopefully be able to afford one?!?! Well that is about all for now.

What a wonderfully fun day we had today! For lunch we met my dad at Baker's Square (Yummy) and the kids ate all their lunch so they got to have a piece of pie afterwards, which is the best part of eating at Baker's Square! From there we headed over to the Mall, GG brought her bear Abby (we got her bear a couple years ago) with so she could buy clothes at Build-a-Bear with her gift certificate. She ended up getting a pretty red dress, a white dress and a wand and tiara for Abby. She was so excited about getting to pick out clothes and try them on her bear, which she tried on about 5 outfits! Monkey got to make a bear, he pushed the peddle for the stuffing to go in then he rubbed the heart, gave it a kiss and put it inside his bear. The man sewed him up then both kids went to the fluffing station and fluffed their bears. Then Monkey named his bear...I bet you'll never guess what he named it?!?! He named it Buzz Lightyear. If anyone knows him they know that is his favorite character. The cool thing about naming him that was the store had a Buzz Lightyear outfit so we bought that for him too. Both kids didn't want to leave the store, we'll have to go back again! Then we walked around the mall and went into the Lego store that was pretty neat. *** Warning my be to much info*** The last store we went into was Motherhood I wanted to check on some bras, I have never been able to walk into a store and get a nursing bra that fit right. Well I came really close so I got it. My problem is that I am a size 34 and I haven't been able to find a cup big enough in that size so I have always had to get a 36. The lady told me that the cup I am wearing now might not be big enough after the baby comes but after nursing two already I know it will be fine, at least I hope because that is the biggest size they sell in the store and I don't want to order a bra online! So needless to say I was extremely happy to have found and purchased a bra that fits almost perfectly!!! After we left the mall we went to DSW Shoe and I bought a pair of boots with my Christmas money!!! They were on sale too, which was the best part. I still want to buy some dress shoes and snow boots but I am good for now. Then we got my car washed, the kids always enjoy that! Now we are home just had a late dinner and put the kids to bed and started laundry. I am exhausted and still not feeling 100% myself.

We had spaghetti the other night for dinner and GG made letters out of the noodles. Then she started spelling words. It was too funny. She, of course, ate them afterwards but she was so proud of herself for making the letters and words! Tonight we are having company over for dinner and GG is really excited about that she loves to entertain. Monkey is excited too but he won't put on a show like GG will. I wish I wasn't feeling so sick. My throat hurts and I couldn't breath last night and having Monkey hug my neck and put pressure on my throat didn't help me breath either. He is so snuggly but sometimes it isn't a good thing! I know my throat hurts because of all the drainage. I am hoping that having this 3 day weekend will help me get better, but being pregnant you never get rid of things as quickly. I have set up our tour of the OB for in March and I am really excited about that because the hospital just remodeled the OB wing. I have found out all the policies about labor and delivery from the hospital so I am set with that. Now it is just a waiting game. Tomorrow we are having lunch with my dad and then taking the kids to Build-a-Bear (GG got a gift card for her birthday) and Monkey is going to be getting his first friend from there!!! Then I want to do some looking around the mall and maybe get some shoes and boots for myself?!?! I'm not feeling good so if this doesn't make sense I'm sorry I'm not in my right mind...

So yesterday as I was leaving to go home GG's teacher pulled me aside along with GG. I then witnessed GG reading words!!! The teacher said that she had started with two of the older kids in the class (ones that turned 4 in Sept) and GG said that she wanted to try so Mrs. Sherry let her and she was amazed that she could do it. She is just so bright! I can't believe my baby has started reading. I am so excited because that was a bad subject for me and I really want her to be confident in her reading abilities and it looks like she is off to a great start. I just love this school so much because they are able to work individually with each child so she is never held back on learning. GG loves school too, it is just the greatest feeling in the world to see her excel at learning. Another thing I love about GG's teacher especially is that she never blows smoke up my butt, what I mean about that is she never exaggerates about her abilities and behavior in class. GG's dance teacher is the opposite...she tells me that she is the best dancer in her class and the best listener in class, which she is good at both but then I see and hear her turn around and tell other parents whose kids don't listen at all in the class the same thing. Mrs. Sherry tells me when their are issues with her for instead she wasn't keeping her dress down at school. Then I can address them and we can work together to fix the inappropriate behavior, which is so important to have the teacher supporting you on fixing it! The teacher that I work under likes to blow smoke and the parents get frustrated because the kids aren't doing, knowing or acting like she says they are/should be. When parents come to me it puts me in a very bad situation, because I'm not going to blow smoke...parents know how their kids act and behave at least most do. I don't really think I should lie to them, especially when the parent asks did they listen or interrupt or fight with anyone? I will end with saying I don't like having hot air or smoke blown at me so I will not do it to someone else. Sorry for the vent I just can't take it anymore. ***Parents beware of teachers/people that blow smoke at you.***

The weekend is almost over, so sad. This morning we got up and went to church. I was suppose to work the nursery but there were only two kids so I got to go to my Sunday school class, which I really wanted to be at anyway! So that worked out good. Then after church the kids and I went over to my in-laws for lunch. She always makes the best food. I forgot to mention yesterday when I updated because I was so distraught over GG getting her shots. But I took the kids to this store called the Teacher's Schoolbox. It is the most amazing store. I wanted to buy so much stuff!!! I ended up purchasing a pencil sharpener, writing paper for GG to practice her name (she can write it now she needs to prefect it!), job charts for the kids (I'll explain more about them later), playdough toys and rollers. There was so much more I wanted though. They had a finger painting section with tons of art supplies, bingo but with shapes, colors, numbers, and letters, paraquer blocks and sheets (I really wanted those) and much more I couldn't even write it all. About the job charts...I have been making them by hand then at this store I find them already done and are exactly what I want! They are for all 7 days of the week. There are 4 catergories; My Room, My School, My Family, Myself. Under each category there are chores for instead under the Room there are: I put my things away, I put my dirty clothes in the laundry, I made my bed and then a blank space so you can add one of your own. At the bottom of the chart is a line that the kids get to choose the reward or amount of money (we are doing the rewards) they want to earn for doing their chores that week. Monkey choose a movie and GG choose going to the library. I really hope they do well this week so we can do the fun things!!! They are both excited about the new charts (mine weren't so fun and pretty!!!!) I think the bottom is so cool because they get to pick it out before I was the one choosing the reward. They liked my rewards but now they have to work hard to get exactly what they asked for. Also yesterday they had firsts, GG learned how to tie her shoes in about 10 minutes (she is so on top of it) and Monkey last night before bed took off the diaper I had just put on him and told me he didn't want to wear it to bed. I really don't blame him he hasn't peed in his diaper since he has been potty trained 7 months ago. J just wants him to wear the diaper at night just in case. So last night he took them off and we put underwear back on him and he was fine, which isn't really a surprise. I am glad cause I hated putting the diapers on him every night now we just have to put his pj's on and we are done. So much easier :)

Ok so I forgot GG's appointment on Friday so I took her today. We only gave her 2 shots and skipped the other for now. She will get it another visit. She weighs 36 pounds and is 40 1/4 inches tall. I felt so bad she only got 2 shots but got stuck 3 times...he had the shot in and she pulled away so he had to stick her again to get the medicine in. It was the worst thing to witness. I was holding her and trying to get her to look away because she would see it comes and jerk away. After the doctor was done she looked at me and cried, "Mom, why did I trust him? He told me it would only hurt a little." The doctor thought that was pretty clever of her and told the nurse and the receptionist what she said! Needless to say she got an ice cream cone afterwards. My poor girl I hate seeing her hurt like that. At least it is over with and she is protected from those diseases.

So I got pulled over last night after dropping GG off at Cubbies, it was J! I was thinking to myself, "now what did J tell me to do when I get pulled over?" I haven't really been pulled over in almost 6 years. Monkey got a kick out of the lights though and seeing Daddy as a policeman :) Then J came home and took his break. Monkey passed gas and I told him it stinks. J had Monkey saying, "It doesn't stink, I'm a MAN...I'm a MAN!" Then Monkey turns to me and says after just yelling I'm a man, "Mommy, I have an owie on my arm." In the cutest little voice. J and I laughed so hard, he really doesn't have the concept of I'm a man!!! Anyway, today is FRIDAY, yay. Monkey learned a new potty trick, he can go pee standing up now. GG was funny when we told daddy about him standing up. She said, "how do you pee standing up? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard." I just hope she doesn't try standing up...hehe :) Well I am going to enjoy my weekend.

Well today I had the second person tell me that GlamorGirl looks like Kirsten Dunst. Now these people don't even know each other and I have never mentioned it to anyone. But that is cool that people think she looks like a star, because we certainly think she is a star! Lets see, my car had trouble the other day come to find out I had a flat tire. That was not fun. I have been extremely tired and haven't gotten on the internet since Monday! The baby is moving all the time and I am able to feel the movements when I am standing up now too. When I sit or lay down it is non-stop kicking and moving. I love that feeling, it is so reassuring that the baby is ok! My throwing up has stopped, Thank goodness. I have my next appointment Feb 16th and hopefully we will be able to see the gender at that appointment! Tonight GG has Cubbies and it is pj night. That will be nice to bring her home and just put her in bed :) She has her 4 year check up tomorrow so that should be interesting. She is suppose to get 3 shots, I am thinking maybe she will get one or two and we'll save the others for another day?!?! I haven't really decided, she hasn't had a shot since she was 15 months old. She is caught up but these 3 that she hasn't needed until now. I hate seeing my baby in pain so that will have a lot to do with how many she gets tomorrow. That is it for now...

We had a wild weekend. We got over 10 inches of snow for starters. Saturday we had a birthday party an hour away that we couldn't get too because of the monstrous snow. The kids were really sad about that but the roads were just too dangerous. Then J and I went to a wedding at 2pm and the reception at 6pm. It was a really fun wedding. The groom was armenany (sp?) so they had traditions from their culture. It was great. All the women got scarfs and we danced the bride and groom into the reception hall. We didn't get home until 11:30 that night and we had church the next morning. Wow did morning come fast! After church GG had her friends birthday party. She had so much fun. We played pin the tail on the donkey and had a princess pinata, it was a pull string and not one that you beat open. Then GG opened her presents and she got...a barbie doll head that she can do the hair on, (her reaction, "I always wanted one of those!!!" a princess crown, princess diary for her to write a journal in, a karaoke machine (her favorite), purple princess shirt, and a game Cariboo. It was a great time.

Today we had an u/s and the baby wouldn't show us if they were a boy or a girl. We are a little bummed about that but it was really cool seeing the baby! Their resting heartrate was 156, which is really high for a baby not kicking. They were sucking their thumb and after about 5 minutes of the lady poking around at the baby they started to move around and kick and punch. GG and Monkey were super excited about seeing the baby move. It was cute. So that was the highlight of our day!!!

Yesterday we had a visitor at school...a dentist. He brought toothbrushes for all the kids and teachers too. We got GG's 4 year old pictures taken and they turned out so good. Also last night we went to Pizza Hut for GG's birthday dinner, that was a lot of fun. That is it for now...

Happy Birthday to my Beautiful baby girl! Last night when she went to sleep I hung streamers on her door (has become tradition) and placed the pile of birthday cards on her dresser. This morning when she woke up I told her happy birthday and we sat down together and read all her birthday cards. She was the most excited about the ones with money in them! Then we got ready for school and left. She was greeted with many birthday wishes and I brought the photo album of her as a baby to show her teachers. She really liked showing them her pictures! We came home to find out her ballet, tap and tumbling class is canceled but that is ok because she has pictures today and a special birthday dinner at any restaurant she wants. I think we will be either going to McDonalds or a place called Jimmy's. Oh yeah we had GG's family party yesterday and she got 2 princess barbies, 5 summer dresses, 2 winter dresses, princess Valentine's cards, a sticker book/coloring book, and precious moments #4 statue. Next sunday is her other party. Well I should sign off of here.

Only 5 more days until GlamorGirl turns 4, I went to the party store on Monday with the kids and we had fun getting all the stuff for her party which is not for another 2 weeks. We had talked about doing a strawberry shortcake party but when we got there she wanted to do the princess thing again! So we are almost set for her "friends" party. So listen to this...Thursday she brings treats to Cubbies for her birthday which they will sing to her, Friday she brings treats to school (more singing) Sunday we are having her family party=more singing!, Monday (her actual birthday) she has ballet, tap and tumbling no treats but the teacher said they would sing to her :0 and then the next weekend we have her friends party. Wow what a blessed little girl! I also got her a button to wear that says I'm the Birthday Girl! Just in case you are wondering why she isn't bring treats to school on her actual birthday, get this there are 2 other girls in her class with the same birthday. It must of been a popular day to have baby girls! Yesterday I finally got out the playdough, it had been put way in the back of the kids' closet. Right now the kids are cutting, one of their favorite things to do! GG has been on this kick about making Valentine's, she takes a piece of paper and folds it in half and then cuts out half a heart. I'm just wondering where she learned that?!?! I know I didn't teach her that. Another thing I am really excited about is on Tuesday we are having another ultra sound done, this place video records it for you so we can take it home and keep it. I am so excited about that and so is GG. She had her hand on my tummy after lunch today and felt the baby kick for the first time. The look on her face was AWESOME. She was smiling ear to ear because her baby brother or sister just kicked her, hehehe. I don't think she will like that when they come out! Oh yeah the last two days the kids have let me take a nap, YAY! Usually I get them set up with something and they start bugging me 10 minutes later, can I have a drink, can I have something to eat, etc. But not the last couple of days they must of known how tired I am :) Well that is all for now, come back soon.

AAHHH, I love Saturdays! We got to sleep in which was about 45 minutes longer than normal but I'll take what I can get:) GG comes in my room and says, "Mommy hurry up or we'll be late for school." I told her it was Saturday and she doesn't have school on Saturdays, which is the only day she doesn't have school. She said, "Ok, then get up and lets go outside and play in the snow!" It was cute. We actually didn't get out into the snow until after lunch, we had some unexpected errands to run. This morning Monkey was hanging on the towel rack and it came out of the wall. Ooops! That kid would hang all day if he could. The weird thing is he has an amazingly strong grip, he has ever since he was a baby! It just seems to get stronger with age. J and I were joking this summer during the Olympics that Monkey was going to be the next best ring performer in men's gymnastics. But now it is fixed and hopefully Monkey will remember not to hang on it anymore. Anyways, after lunch we got the kids bundled up and I got myself bundled and all 4 of us headed outside. We had a lot of fun, actually J and GG are still outside. When J used the snow blower on the driveway he piled the snow on the left side and our next door neighbors piled theirs on the right side leaving a huge pile of snow. With some moving of the snow J made 5 slides for the kids to go down. They are also big enough for J and I to slide down. It is our very own mini snow park!!! I just hope it last a few days for all the work J put into it. That is basically our day in a nutshell.

Well lets see, we have gotten so much snow! Yesterday was J's first day off of his 3 days and I got to stay home because school was closed. So when we got up out of bed I bundled up GG and sent her outside where J was shoveling. She made snow angels and played in the snow while he shoveled. Then I got Monkey bundled up and sent him out too. When J was finished with the driveway he made 2 snow slides. Our neighbors gave the kids a tube to slide down the slide with. They had so much fun. GG was outside for over an hour playing and she wasn't cold when she came inside, I love snow pants and boots. Monkey was cold though he didn't have any yesterday but last night another neighbor about 3 houses down gave us a pair of boots and snow pants for Monkey to use!!! My favorite part of playing in the snow is coming inside and getting hot chocolate :) GG also had Awana Cubbies last night so she still had an activity instead of school so that was nice. When she got home she had the Bear "Cubbie" which means that she gets to bring treats next week for her birthday!!! She was so excited about getting to bring him home that she slept with him.

Today we had a snow day at school, meaning we took the kids outside to play in the snow. That was a lot of fun. Most of our time was spent getting the kids dressed to go out. I made sure to bring stuff so I could play in the snow with them. We made snowmen and a slide for them to go down. Then we had hot chocolate when we came in, YUMMY! Now we are at home, Monkey is sleeping and GG wanted to learn how to write her middle name and she has already mastered it in less than 10 minutes of working on it. So she can now completely write her name first, middle and last, Monkey's name and some other various words. Without help! I seriously wish I could freeze her at this age. She is learning so much so fast it is unbelievable, she just floors me sometimes. The other day she was in her room coloring and when she was finished with it she brought the page to me. I had to ask her who colored it. It was so good I thought J might of done it but it was her. I have never seen a child her age color so good and stay in the lines so well, it honestly looked like an adult had done it. I had her color me another page and she did the same quality of coloring...just amazing. J told her after he saw it that she was going to be an artist! But my favorite is when she draws people. She makes a circle for the head, gives them eyes, nose and mouth. Then makes them hair she gives them arms from the head and legs from the head and then colors in between the legs to make their clothes. After talking with her teacher I found out that her development skills on drawing are above the curve as well. Most kids her age don't have as many details in their pictures. It must of been the breastmilk she got as a baby. The studies have shown higher IQ's in breastfed babies!!!

Monkey is also learning how to write his name too. His fine motor skills aren't as fine as GG's which is fine because he is only 2 1/2!!! But he can write the first four letters and I think that is great. He loves playing with his trains and little people. He is the type of kid every mother dreams of...he can entertain himself! And I don't mean sitting him in front of the tv, he plays with his toys for hours at a time. He loves these dinosaurs he got for Christmas and the little people keep him busy too. I like to stand in the door to watch and listen to him play, he doesn't even know I am there! He is still sleeping in our bed and I really can't stand moving him when he is obviously not ready. Every night he falls asleep with his little arms wrapped around my neck. When he wakes at night the first thing he does is find my neck and wraps his arms around it and goes back to sleep. It is the sweetest thing in the world. You can only understand if you have cuddly children like mine. GG did the same thing but with my arm instead of neck.

Yum our house smells so good, we are having pot roast for dinner and the whole house smells like the roast. It is making me hungry.

HAPPY 2005! I can't believe it is a new year already. GG will be 4 in two weeks, I just can't believe that either. She is getting so tall she can do so many things without help it is amazing! On the 31st J had to work so the kids and I watched movies and eat popcorn and they crashed around 10:15ish. I wasn't far behind them! I was asleep when J got home at 11pm...I just couldn't force myself to stay awake. J ended up going to sleep 10 minutes before midnight. On the 1st we went to the M's (from church) house like we do every year. It is non-stop eating all day and the food is so good. We watch the parades in the morning and the rest of the day we spend building puzzles. It is so rewarding to get a 1000 piece puzzle done in about 2 hours! The kids got to draw on the kitchen walls because they are remodeling it, GG wrote her full name and then drew a picture of her family. She drew about 8 people and she told everyone that 3 of them were in my tummy! I could handle it if there were two but not three :)

Today was the first day back at school, and it went pretty well. GG had fun seeing her friends again. When we got home I realized that today is also GG's first day of Ballet, Tap and Tumbling. I wanted her to take just the Tumbling because it was at a better time but she really likes tap and ballet so I signed her up. She is so excited about it. She carries her tap and ballet shoes in a little bag that says "Princess!", of course.

J has started the afternoon shift which he is getting over time on but I hate the fact that he is gone from 2:10 to 11 or after. But one day he will hopefully get a better shift. Days would be prefect! But for now we can deal with what he gets :)

Wow what a wonderful Christmas we had. I am so excited that I got Miracle Blades with block and a juicer! That was my big present from J then he and the kids also got me a book, socks, gum (I wanted it), more hair ties and an alarm clock. The kids got so many toys and clothes I don't even think I could list everything!!! So I will list a few things I can remember...GlamorGirl: (from us) a wooden doll house with furniture, 6 summer outfits, swim suit, 2 pairs of dress up shoes, 2 my little ponies, beads to make necklaces, train tracks, and some stocking stuffers; (from grandma and grandpa A. and Liz) 5 winter outfits, a jump rope, princess makeup/dress up kit, princess movie, doll with backpack and some games; (from g&g M. Travis, Becky, Kevin and Melissa) The Cuties game, 2 winter outfits, 2 t-shirts, dress up shoes and gloves, 2 bead kits to make necklaces, and candyland; (from g&g K) a winter outfit, snow white dress up dress, and play food. Now I know I didn't get everything but close enough. Together they got, wooden building blocks, leap pad learning system with 2 extra books, Aladin movie and some other things. Monkey: (from us) little people ramp around garage, 6 summer outfits, swim suit, train tracks, view master and stocking stuffers; (from g&g A and Liz) 6 dinosaurs, hot wheels cars, 2 big trucks, 3 winter outfits, pj's, little people car wash and a tool bench; (from g&g K) little people airport, winter outfit, and blue's clues toy; (from g&g M plus people mentioned above) I know he got Don't Break the Ice game, micro machines, and then everything else I am clueless about, I helped GG and Jeff helped Monkey. Next year will be fun with a new child to open gifts! The kids had a great Christmas and we had so much fun spending time with family. Until next year ;)

So many things have happened since I last wrote! Friday the 17th was our last day of school and the kids got me so many presents, it was so sweet. We had our Christmas program and J was able to come in his uniform to watch the kids sing. Then he also came back to their rooms for the party afterwards that was really great. The kids also got presents from their teachers and they were really excited about opening them!

Saturday the 18th was J and I's 5th anniversary!!! Wow it has been 5 years we have been married??? It seems like yesterday, I love him so much. We went out to dinner at Chili's as a family to celebrate us being a family for 5 years. Then we came home and packed for our vacation!

Sunday we got up early and traveled to my grandparents house for Christmas with them. I love seeing my grandparents! It was crowded in their house with almost 30 people but GG ate up all the attention she got from great grandma and nana (my mom). We also got another 4 generations picture taken to update the one we got when she was about 6 months old. The kids had a great time. Then it was back in the car for some more traveling to Lake Geneva's Timber Ridge Indoor water park. We got there an hour before everyone else so we went swimming!!! It was so cool. When everyone else got there we ate dinner and then everyone went swimming :)

Monday the boys went skiing and snowboarding and us girls took the kids back to the water park. This place was awesome. There was a kiddie area with 3 slides, another pool with a slide and a rope thing that you go across as well as basketball hoops, a lazy river, a hot tub, and outside hot tub, a green tube slide used with a raft, and a yellow tube slide (adults only). We never got bored! That night we opened presents with my dad, step-mom and some siblings. We almost didn't have enough room in our car to bring all the presents home!

Tuesday was the day we checked out but you are able to use the water park until 10pm that night! We only stayed until 3pm, we were getting a little water logged. But it was so much fun and we are already talking about going again. We are thinking GG's 5th birthday?!?! We'll see...

Today we are unpacking, doing laundry and getting groceries along with some other errands we need to run.

The last three days J was off and now he is at work. This weekend was really fun. Saturday J had training and the kids and I went to get his Christmas presents which are all done now! If he asks them what we got him they both reply, "NOTHING!" Very funny. After J's training GG and I went to get other presents for J I didn't want to take both to the other stores. We got home and J left for a progressive dinner at the school, his mom asked him to drive a bus. The kids and I ordered pizza for dinner. Then Sunday was our fun day. We got up and went to church, after church our sunday school class had lunch that the guys made the girls. We played a game and the boys lost so they had to make us dinner. It was really good food. Then we took the kids downtown Chicago to see the big Christmas tree and all the lights and the windows. The windows this year were Snow White, really cool and they both loved it. I think they enjoyed the ride there and back as well as we took the train! When we got back we grabbed a quick bit to eat at Subway and then went back to church for the Choir Concert Comfort and Joy. We came home and the kids went to bed. Today we started our last week of school before Christmas break. I got a present from one of the little girls in my class. Her mom is one of my co-workers so she got my something I was telling her that I asked J for but he won't buy me. It was very sweet and I am super excited about it! I need to go try and call the doctor's office again. I have to switch doctors because where I am going can't deliver babies at the hospital 5 minutes from our house.

Oh more quick story about GlamorGirl. We were in the car and the song Our God Reigns came on the and she was singing her little heart out then she stops and says, "Mom, He reigns means that he is in control." I was amazed that she grasped that concept, some adults can't! God is in control. I bet if you have a 3 1/2 year old and asked them what God reigns means they would tell you something like it is raining outside. She is such an amazing little girl and she has Jesus in her heart!

Today was so nice because it was teacher appreciation day at school. They gave us each a sports chair with the school name on it and they made us lunch, with appetizers and dessert! The lunch was so delicious! Speaking of delicious it is really cute when Monkey says that word, usually talking about my food :) J told me the other day when he took GG to the store for Christmas presents and groceries, she was yelling at the top of her lungs, the song We Wish you a Merry Christmas. He said everyone looked at her and just smiled. I thought it was cute. Then when they were at the deli waiting she had the number J gave it to her, she looked at it and said, "I'm number 11, I'm number 11..." He said it was hilarious and I can only imagine it was given her spunky personality. Tonight at dinner time GG asked for something and said, "But I don't want to pay taxes." J just looked at her and she said, "You know taxes means money dad!" What a little smartie...where did she learn that?

This afternoon the kids and I went through all their toys, got rid of some and moved others into GG's room. In the afternoons they play with the toys while I do whatever needs to be done around the house. Some days they are best friends and others I have to go in there every two minutes, siblings! So from now on they are going to spend quiet time in their own rooms playing with their toys. Afterwards they will be able to play together. Hopefully this will solve this problem...

One more thing, I promise! Monkey has stopped taking naps so far this week. It is awesome he goes to sleep around 6:30 to 7pm and he sleeps all night long. Then GG goes to sleep at 7 to 7:15pm so J and I have time together. I really hope they don't change this schedule.

Ok this is a new day so I will try posting again. Yesterday the kids and I went to church and afterwards I took them to Wendy’s for lunch we ordered off the 99 cent menu. As we were standing in line GG pulls up my shirt and tells the lady behind us that I have a baby in my tummy. Yes, I do have a baby in my tummy but do we have to show a complete stranger??? I couldn’t be mad at her because she is so excited about the baby and it is so cute to watch her talk about the new baby, she lights up!

Last night we took the kids to the Ark program at church, Aunty Liz was in it. It was really good they sang, danced, and talked about the birth of Jesus. You have to be in 1st grade to be apart of Ark and GG has kept talking about when she is old enough she wants to be in it. This was no surprise to J or I as she loves to sing and dance now. She has actually always loved to be the center of attention and she pretty much always is!!! As for Monkey I think he enjoyed it too. He sat on grandma or grandpa’s lap the whole time so I didn’t get to see his reaction I just know he sat and watched the whole thing.

Well I updated the other day then the page froze up and I didn't feel like re-typing. So let's see we have started back to school and the kids were extremely excited to be back at school with all their friends. Tuesday night GG throw up in her bed and didn't even wake up to tell us we ended up smelling it. It was nasty. J took care of cleaning up the bed, her pillow, her baby doll, blankets, and pj's. I gave her a bath. As I was washing out the chunks I throw up. It was a bad night. I had to wash her body and hair twice to get the smell off of her. Then we made her sleep in our room just in case it happened again. I actually made her stay there last night too.

Also we have mice in our house and it is grossing me out. J has done all the filling of wholes to keep them out but they got in again. So we set traps. The last two mornings there have been a mouse in it. This morning when I saw the trap I told J he needed to come take care of it so the kids didn't see it and when I started to talk to him the mouse, still alive, started moving around and shaking the trap. I freaked out and woke up the kids. It really scared me I thought it was dead. So today J found the whole they have been coming and filled in that one too. Now we are going to set some traps in the crawl space and see if we have anymore or we finally got rid of them. I really hope they are gone now.

Today J and I are going to the Christmas banquet at church. Liz is coming to watch the kids and spending the night. I got to get a new outfit for the event, I justified it because we have a wedding in January to go to so I can wear it there too. I really like it so I will probably wear it to church all the time! Well that is about all I can think of to write about.

Remember how I said GlamorGirl wanted to build a snowman in the snow? Well that night J promised that she could play in the snow in the morning, which is Thanksgiving morning. It was very convenient of him considering he had to work in the morning. Well I couldn't disappoint her so on Thanksgiving morning GG, Monkey and I got bundled up and we went outside to play in the snow. Our neighbor from across the street came out to play with us and so did our neighbors behind us and across the street from them. So there was a 7 yr old, almost 4 yr old (GG), 3 1/2 yr old, 3 yr old, and 2 1/2 yr old (Monkey) along with 3 adults. The kids had fun! And so did I actually :) After the snow we came in the house and had some hot chocolate to warm up. We snuggled in a blanket on the couch and watched a movie! When J got home we went to some friends house for Thanksgiving. There was about 35 people there and the kids had a blast. These friends have known J since he was Monkey's age so they are very much like family. Every year we go around the room and say what we are thankful for the year...it usually ends in crying. I know I did some. But it is neat to see what is going on in our peoples lives. GG and Monkey even shared what they were thankful for and it was mommy and daddy, but very sweet! We didn't get home until 9 so the kids had a late night two nights in a row, we didn't get home from church until 9 the night before. Last night when J got home we put up the Christmas tree, which is a tradition, it is always done the day after Thanksgiving. The kids did a great job helping. Our house looks so homey and Christmasy! The stockings are hanging on the fireplace. I believe the only presents J and I have left to buy are my dad and step-mom and each other. Everyone else is done and that is a wonderful feeling and the bank isn't completely broke, yet. We charged most of the presents!!! We have two days left of vacation and then it is back to school we go. I think then we have 3 weeks of school and then Christmas break. Sounds good to me!!! Happy Holidays to everyone :)

This week off has been great so far, we have gotten to sleep in every morning! Monkey and I took a trip to Rockford on Tuesday and GG and J had daddy/daughter time. Today is J's last day off of work, which has also made the last couple of days great, so we took the kids to McDonalds to play. Right now I am looking outside and it is snowing like crazy. I think we already have 2 inches. Also we got our blinds today!!! I was so excited about that and J put them up right away too. We were planning on going to church tonight but with all the snow I think we might just stay home. GlamorGirl has been begging to go outside and build a snowman ever since it started to snow. Very hard to explain to a stubborn almost 4 year old that there isn't enough snow on the ground yet. She could probably make a snow angel :) I honestly don't want her going outside to play until she is completely healthy. I think she is going to kick her cough this week though...I can tell she has gotten better. Well J and I just decided we are going to church tonight. Have a happy Thanksgiving...

Last night we had company over for dinner. It was so much fun. Two couples were from our sunday school class and the third couple were friends of our friends and they had two girls so that was awesome. The kids each had a play mate to play with while us adults played Battle of the Sexes. That is a long game to play but very fun and entertaining. This morning we had church and then to J parents' house for lunch and finally we returned home. That is about it. The next 3 days J has off and so do I. I am hoping to get family pictures taken one of those days. Well that is it...

Not really going to update but have a cute story! Monkey was in the living room spinning around. All of a sudden he says, "Woooh, I'm busy!" We started laughing and said, "do you mean dizzy?" Then he started back up spinning and fell to the ground and said, "I'm too busy this time. I fell down!" It was very funny!

Wow! It has been forever :) Our computer was being fixed and when we got it back I had so many emails to catch up on that I just didn't feel like writing in my blog. We have one more week of school before Thanksgiving break. I can't believe that. J and I finished the kids Christmas shopping on Saturday when his parents watched them. It is so much easier to get their presents when they aren't there! We only have a few more people to buy for but the kids can be with us for those. Oh another great thing that happened Saturday was that we ordered some blinds for our dining room. I am extremely excited about that, obviously because I wrote about it! Today we looked at a Mazda MPV it was really nice. We are planning on renting a van for our trip in Dec so we might just rent one of those, if possible. I really liked it, not as big as a normal van but seats as many. The kids got their lines for the Christmas program at church so that was exciting. Oh and we had friends from WIU come stay with us last week. They have a little girl 6 months older than Monkey and a newborn. The kids loved to hold the baby especially Monkey. Monkey was very adorable with the little girl. I could go on but I'll stop for now. Until next time...

I am officially another year older. Yesterday was my birthday, it is a great one too. We had a wonderful weekend! Company came to our house on Friday spent the night and then left Saturday afternoon. Then Saturday night we went to a Costume party at the M's house. GlamorGirl was a "Barbie" Princess (she had a wand, glass sleepers, and a tiara...couldn't decide which one she wanted to be!) Monkey was an army guy with binuclears and a radio. They both looked super cute. J was a soccer player and I went as a pregnant lady. It was funny because so many people actually thought I was pregnant!!! It was a good costume! The kids and J went swimming. We ended up getting home real late...good thing we gained an hour. Sunday we went to church where I was embarrassed by the intern pastor. He made me stand up as everyone wished me a happy birthday. After church we went to grandma and grandpa A's house for lunch and some trick or treating. The kids kept saying "Happy Halloween" instead of trick or treat and then Thank you! By the time we got home to our neighborhood they started saying trick or treat. They had one guy tell them he was going to do a trick. You should of seen the look on their faces! Priceless :) Then we went out for my birthday dinner and to our friends (M's) house again. GG was so excited to see her sunday school teacher there! I must mention also the kids carving pumpkins...too funny. They didn't like the gooey insides but got used to them. Today is a rainy day so we will be doing a lot of indoor fun things. I don't know if we will get grocery shopping done though.

Let's see...Friday at school we had a firefighter come and talk to the kids. They loved that. They each got a coloring book and hat from him. Then after school I took the kids to McDonalds for lunch and to play. It is so fun to watch GG make friends with kids. She truly has a sweet spirit. She walked away from the playland with about 5 new friends. And Monkey is so independent he just did his own thing. But he also made a friend, a little girl. He was trying to hug her and she pushed him away. When she realized all he wanted to do was hug her she gave him a hug back. Her mom said she is in daycare and not used to little kids wanting to be nice to her. That is just so sad. When J got home from his training we went to Wal-mart and grocery shopping which we were suppose to do on Monday. Oh well. Today the kids and I are having a movie day. We are in our pjs still and we are on our 3rd movie! We have been snuggling on the couch together watching the movies. We just got done eating lunch so I wanted to update real quick. Now I am off to watch Peter Pan with my two sweeties.

Well it is Wednesday "hump day"! Yesterday was quite busy. We had tumbling and then the volleyball game. After the game they had a pizza party. Just in case I forgot to mention the game was against the parents and Liz had asked J to play. I kept score and that was more work then I thought it was going to be, had to watch two kids in the process. Monkey got stuck in between the bleachers, don't ask I don't know how, and he was sitting right next to me. I had to call a timeout!!! When we were eating pizza and deserts the players got in a cupcake fight. So today after lunch when I gave GG a cupcake to eat she put it all over her face...like they did last night. Good thing it was easy to clean up! Well that is it for now I need to start laundry and make dinner.

So today is Sunday...I last updated on Thursday. Hmmm where did the time go? I have to keep this quick because J is cleaning the house and wants my help. So Friday we went to see Liz play her last volleyball game against another team. Tuesday they play their parents, J is playing in the place of their dad. We are going to go watch the game and cheer J on.

Saturday J worked so the kids and I went to the library in the morning. It was fun they had a drop in craft project. It was a spider. So they each made one to bring home. They took turns on the computer and played with the other games. On the walls of the library there is a outdoors scene, there is a tree with a raccoon in it. Monkey wanted to touch the raccoon and I told him it would bite him. He looked at me and said, "Mommy it is a pretend raccoon." Can't get anything by him these days! Then we picked out books and movies. On the way out I realized that they had a leap pad for the kids to use. Next time we go one can be on the computer and the other can do the leap pad. We got home had lunch with J (he came home to eat) and then both kids took naps. But not at the same time! While Monkey slept GG and I worked on her homework. While GG slept Monkey and I played in the toy room together. So that was fun. When J got home we went to the grocery store to pick out some food. Oh and Monkey decided that our cordless phone belonged in the kitchen sink. It fell right into a dish filled with water. We need to go buy a new one now. Ooops! Here is another Monkey story...while we were playing he was pretending to be a doctor and took the tool that you use to look in ears and noses put it up to my ear and said, "No monkey's in there mommy!" It was very funny. Then I remembered that is what the doctor said at their last appointment when she looked in their ears. What a smartie. The other thing that was interesting today was that the door bell rang and when I answered it there was a lady outside asking me if the house was still for sale. Umm...we have lived here for 3 months now. It was off the market about 4 months ago once we made the contract.

Today is Joe and Sue's anniversary! So Happy Anniversary to you two! We went to church this morning and now we are in the process of cleaning the house. Tonight my dad and step-mom are taking the kids out for dinner, at McDonalds with a playland. J and I are going to hopefully go to the department and shoot. We'll see...not really my idea of fun.

What is today? We had a great day today. Ran some errands when J got home from work. I love doing stuff with him and so do the kids. They love their daddy. On our errands we were at the store and GlamorGirl asked to get a small lint brush...it was purple and small her two favorite things. I asked her what it was...she said she didn't know but wanted me to tell her what it was so that she could get it. So I told her and then asked her what it does. She took it and showed me. Very funny. Tonight GG is at Awana Cubbies and Monkey has been running around the house like a mad man. I think he loves having us to himself as well as the toys! He just cracks me up. Well I should go need to go pick GG up.

I just realized that I haven't updated in a few days. I tell you my life needs to slow down or it will be over before I know it! For example: Yesterday we went to school got home at 12:30, ate lunch and GG got dressed for tumbling, then to tumbling from 1:30 to 2:15 (she loves this class and I am glad she is in it) then to the court house to drop off our appeal to the assessor's office. It was the last day to turn it in so I had to go. Came home and rested for about 30 minutes and we packed everyone up and headed over to school for Liz's Volleyball game. GG played with her friend Krystal and Monkey slept. Then came home and made dinner at 6pm ate and then it was time to get ready for bed. The day just flew by.

Today it has been slower so I thought I would update while I had the chance. GG is having quite time in the playroom and Monkey is taking his nap. Oh and the movie that J and I went too was good. Very sad. But it was good nonetheless! Ok it is time to write my grocery list. We were suppose to go on Monday but we were too busy. The sad thing is I can't even remember what we did!

We had such a fun day today. Got up early and picked out some pumpkins...they are huge! Then we went to the Home Show at the Race tracks. We watched different demonstrations on cookware, cleaning supplies and many more. There were tons of booths set up. The kids had fun too. They got balloons GlamorGirl got a flower (purple) and Monkey got a motorcycle. They got to make slime, play in a ball pit and jump in the moonwalk. And they got tattoos! J and I bought really good smelling candles. We got roasted coffee, baked apple pie, fudge brownie and juniper breeze! We needed candles and we still do but these buys are helping restock our supply. This afternoon the kids and I took naps. It felt so good to sleep. After the nap we played outside. The kids rode bikes and played with the neighbors parachute guys. Now the kids just got bathed and are getting ready for bedtime.

Yesterday J and I played the board game Battle of the Sexes. It is really hard. I knew none of the answers, at least it seemed like it. The questions J got were name the six cast members of the hit series Friends. I mean come on. Then he also got a question what is the national group of breast feeding called? Seriously if he got that wrong I would of beat him ;) I go to the meeting once a month for heavens sake. I think it will be more fun with more players. We are planning on having a couple over from our sunday school class so they can play with us.

Just in case I don't have time to update tomorrow here is the plan for the day. Church in the morning, lunch with J's parent's sunday school class, Liz is coming home with us and J and I are going to go see the movie Ladder 49, finally. I need to figure out a good time to go Christmas shopping with J and leave the kids home.

Now that it is the end of the week I will just do some highlights of the week! J and I got dressed up nicely and went to the police department for the New Chief to be sworn in to office. Now J has a new boss. But he hasn't made any changes. From what everyone said about this guy he will make good changes like getting a bike unit, horses for parades and things like that. Specialty things! I guess time will tell how this guy is.

Wednesday we had a friend over for dinner. So that was a lot of fun. Speaking of friends I talked to an old friend from WIU and she was telling me about the school she sends her daughter. It made me think about the school the kids go to. Since I work there I see everything they are learning and how they are taught and so on. But it made me think about it and see that this school is the right school for my kids and for J and I. They have learned so much in 4 weeks it is amazing. And they are smart kids to begin with. The one thing I love the most is that the children get one on one time with the teacher and then with the assistant each day. So they are learning and experiencing things at their own pace and are learning to listen to a teacher. I just love that school too because there are Bible stories and memory verses each week. It also helps that there success rate in college is outstanding, great self discipline among other wonderful attributes.

Thursday it was absolutely beautiful outside! I took the kids to the doctor because GG has had a cough for almost a week. Yeah it was a virus nothing they can really do for her. But the doctor prescribe something to help her sleep at night...the coughing was keeping her up. Monkey also got a well baby check up and they both got tested for lead. I will find out those results next week. So after that they got ice cream at Mc Donalds for being good at the doctors...and I felt bad about them getting poked for the lead test. We did them both at the same time. They sat on my lap and the nurse did one and the doctor did the other. While I held their hands. They both screamed and I felt super bad. But they only cried for about 30 seconds. That is because they knew mama was right there to hug and comfort them. I hate seeing them hurt. Then we spent the afternoon outside with the neighbors. GG had Cubbies and got her first patch for her vest. She is doing so well keeping the verse for Cubbies and the verse for school straight. Smart little girl, sometimes too smart if you know what I mean!

Then today GG and I went to school and Monkey stayed home with J. They went to the Library and Police department. GG got to eat dirt for snack, smashed oreo cookies, chocolate pudding and a gummie worm. It was D week! Well that is about it.

What day is again?!?! I just can't believe it is Oct already and today is the 5th. All I remember about yesterday was all the crafts GG and I did while Monkey slept. We made an airplane, caterpillar, and colored so many pictures! We also played with playdough. It was a fun day. Then we went grocery shopping which we needed desperately. Today GG had tumbling. Then it was homework time and more coloring. She is so much like me as a kid. My mom said I could color for hours on end. She had to make me stop. Well I need to go make dinner...

Yesterday was a very productive day. I went through all the winter clothes from last year to see if any fit. Then reorganized both of the kids dressers. J and I went through the toy room and got rid of some toys we are going to donate. Then we moved the room around. It looks so much bigger in there now. The kids have enjoyed the new look too because they have more room to play! The thing that helped the most was finally hanging up the green organizer(ok that word looks wrong but I'm not in the mood to do spell check) that Monkey got for his birthday. When that was finished I cleaned the house. It looked good for a day!

This morning the kids and I went to Sunday School and then church for me, children's church for GG and nursery for Monkey. Then to grandma and grandpa's house for lunch and hanging out. Tonight J and I were suppose to go see that new movie Ladder 49 but Liz wasn't feeling good (she was going to watch the kids) and J got the chance at some overtime. We are going to go another day. The kids and I got home around 5:15 and I called J and he came home from work to eat dinner with us then he had to go back. At least he got to see us for that 30 minutes! If we were still living with my dad he couldn't have done that. Oh and GG is getting sick. So far all she has is a cough that won't go away. No fever or anything else but that horrible cough that keeps her up at night, at least I think it does. She has taken a nap the last two days and she doesn't take naps. Ok I need to go do some other things...

Today was great. This morning J came to school in his uniform and talked to the kids about police officers. They each got a coloring book and a badge. They kids were pretty wired from that! When we got home we did the usual lunch and naps. Then we took library books back and went to the courthouse to register to vote. The kids thought that walking through the metal detector was pretty neat. Our courthouse is really nice…first time I have been there. Registering to vote was so easy so if you haven’t registered yet I suggest you do it. You only have until Oct 5^th, I believe. The last election I was registered but couldn’t vote because they couldn’t find my name on the registration. Turns out I was in the wrong building. Oh well. Anyway, then later we went to watch Liz play volleyball. They played a team of 4^th through 6^th graders. They killed them. Our team is 7^th and 8^th. It was funny too because the coach made the girls play position that they aren’t used to and hit over hand instead of under. Another funny thing that happened at the game was Monkey. He stood up on the bleachers and started yelling. “GO CLA GO CLA…” It was more funny because he had his hands cupped around his eyes instead of his mouth while he was cheering. At one point he put them in a diamond shape on his forehead! What a little nut. After the game there was a high school reunion for the public school that used to be in the building, before our private school bought the building. That is about all the exciting things that happened today. Oh yeah GG got to play with her friend Krystal who is 5. That made her day.