Is this gross to you?

I don't know where the time has gone, and more importantly why have I chosen to not write about all that we've been doing. Consider yourselves lucky I suppose. I'll spare you the details about the funny things my kids have said, our Sunday visit to the old folks home in Magrath and other such excitement, because today I'm in the mood to write about nothing but FOOD. More specifically...a sandwich!

Not just any sandwich though. This is an old favorite of my Dad's. Now admittedly my Dad had an interesting taste in food and often those "tastes" presented themselves in the form of an odd little sandwich. There was the "Cheese whiz and strawberry jam sandwich," the meat lovers "meatball and mayo" sandwich, the traditional "bacon and tomato" (though I have to say that one is good), and then his very own creation, the pièce de résistance ... the "Missionary Sandwich."

I'm not sure if my Dad created this himself or if he just learned it from one of his companions when he served a mission in Belgium (he served a little bit in Holland too), many years ago. I have a sneaky feeling that this is NOT a Dutch specialty, as much as it is a stumbled upon secret by a bunch of poor and starving elders.

Whoever cooked up this idea- I thank you very VERY much! It was the perfect cure to an afternoon craving.

So hear is how you make...a Missionary Sandwich:

First take several pieces of bread, and put some slices of cheese on top of each slice. See...just like this!


Then, brace yourself, get a can of mushroom soup. Spread a couple spoonfuls straight from the can over top of the cheese.


Then...Broil until the soup starts to bubble a bit.


After a couple of minutes, pull it out, and enjoy!
You'll notice I made two sandwiches without the soup on top. My children are wimps who have yet to catch the vision. Grandpa Rausch would not be impressed.

So there it is. I have to admit that for all logical reasons there is nothing very appealing about this sandwich. I mean, it doesn't even LOOK good.

That said, unless someone stops me in the next couple of minutes...

They will be in my tummy in NO TIME!

Try it.

...I Dare You! But don't hate me after!

Dear Abby...

This kid we LOVE! She's 6 today you know.

Last night we had an early Birthday dinner so that she could have some of her cousins over. Today we are going to celebrate as a family this special little girl.

I love it when people post "progress reports" about their infants or babies. You've seen them. A list of all that their child can do at such and such an age...

I thought Abigail deserved just such a list today.

So...at 6 years of age Abby Can:
* Ride a bike (with training wheels)

* Swim on her own without plugging her nose!

*She can operate a computer better than I can at times.

* She can now read level 1 books. She surprises me sometimes when we sit down with a book. When and HOW did that happen?

* She has memorized 3 articles of faith so far

* She loves to eat pizza, pasta and fish

* She's a tad bit dramatic and enjoys acting out movies she's seen. (Without FAIL I have to be the evil stepmother EVERY time!)

* She's been known to kiss two boys in one day

* She can change a diaper, sweep the floor, wash windows (or at least the bottom half of a window), and loves doing the dishes.

* She's a dreamer. She has big plans for her little life.

* She considers EVERYONE a friend, even if they don't know her.

* She can act like a teenager better then anyone. "Whatever"..."As-IF"...and "Totally" have recently become some of her most commonly used words.

* She's great at being the oldest child. She's a peacemaker when she needs to be.

*She has a heart of GOLD, and one of MY DEAREST FRIENDS!

Today as I dropped her off at school I watched her as she climbed out of the van. I noticed how carefujlly she crossed the street being sure to look both ways WHILE holding her arm outstretched in front of her the way we taught her. She turned once she got across the street, smiled at me and gave our secret signal that means, "I LOVE YOU." Then she ran to the big school doors, struggled a bit to heave them open all by herself, and in a moment...disappeared from my view. Despite the fact that her oversized pony backpack was almost as big as she is...she seemed older today. Bigger.

Suddenly I was depressed.

Someone else gets to have her for the next several hours.

I get to sit at home and lament the loss of my little baby!

I suppose I could also rejoice in the fact that she's now a beautiful, healthy and delightful 6 year old. But no- I'll likely spend half the day praying she'll never grow up any more then this.

Dear Abby,

We love you very much. We hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday. Please do us a favor though and don't ever EVER change! Stay my little girl forever.

Love,

Mom.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Today I'm feeling especially grateful for the knowledge that I have that Families can live together eternally.



Of all of the things that I do have Faith in- that is one of the most comforting of all!

Because you all care. ...I know you do!

The thing that I love about "Blogging" is that I can type about my life, plans, kids and family and actually pretend that there is an audience of friends and family who actually CARE about what I'm writing about. Whether it is about my daughter`s second birthday, some home renovations or the status of my recent near death illness...ur cold - I have pictured in my mind a faithful group of people on the edge of their seats waiting...just waiting to see how things in our neck of the woods have ended up.

Well today's post just so happens to be an update on all the happenings in our oh- so- exciting life.

Here is Jessica blowing out the candles on her second Birthday Cake EVER! At least she tried to blow the candle out by puckering her lips together and puffing ever so cautiously, while remaining as FAR from the flame as possible!
Jordan and Luci were kind enough to let us have a family dinner at their house because our house had been overtaken with reno supplies, wood, and sawdust. Ew Ew and EW! I'm pretty sure that Luci slaved all day to get ready for the company, but she never let on. It was sure nice of them!
Jessica's Aunts and cousins know her well. Luci got her a doll and a stroller which she hasn't stopped pushing around. Jewel and her family got Jess a "Belle" dress and some jewellery. As you can see in the photo...it took about 45 seconds for her to open the gifts and put every single thing to good use!

Is this not the cutest Birthday Girl you`ve ever seen!! By the end of the day she`d gotten pretty accustomed to things being all about her. She played the role of DIVA oh so well!




As far as the renovations went. Yes you all were right John is AMAZING! This became especially apparent to me after I spent two days TRYING to mud and tape and sand the walls and get them ready for paint. I don`t think John and I have the same work ethic. ``Stupid, dumb boring Hate it!`` That`s all I have to say about renovations. John on the other hand actually enjoyed it.

We spent last Saturday painting together and aside from the door that we still need to install, things are done!


This is the empty space before the Reno began:


This is it After:

I love that we now have a hallway AND I love the little nook that John made for boots and shoes to go. That will help keep the entrance tidier.

The girls room is pink. Very girly. Jess has a real bed now too!



The tacky old style wood shelf that was once our entrance has made for a decent closet for the girls.


This was the kids room before Reno`s began. All three kids slept in here together. (What I mean is that ALL three kids would fall asleep in here, and then ALL three kids would wind up in our bed at some point in the night)
But this is where the would each fall asleep at least.


This is now Sam`s room now:
A nice MANLY blue, his own bed which he thinks is SOO cool, and toys fit for a boy. No more of those stupid princess dresses getting in his way. Nope he is a big boy now!





So there you have it. That is the first half of our home makeover. The second half will have to wait until Easter Break but it is going to be a goodie. It involves a new oven, a DISHWASHER, an Island and a little demolition just to make things FUN for John. He deserves to enjoy himself.

But like I said, you will have to wait to see that!

More and more we are feeling like this is a place we could stay for another year or so. We`ve been talking with the town about building on our property in 2010, but in the meantime we are pretty darn comfy where we are!

The best part is that LAST NIGHT not a single child left their bed.

I think it is a good sign!

We should have done this a long time ago!

Two years ago...

This little Ray of Sunshine was born! Her entry into the world was a little more dramatic then I would have preferred. I'd noticed the 15 Doctors and nurses enter the room, but I didn't really understand at the time the gravity of what was happening.    Though I could sense something was wrong,  it wasn't until I was leaving the hospital with her that the Doctor who delivered her let me know just how tense things had been.    She was basically "Flatline" before she was even born. No heartbeat...nothing.   There was no time for a C-section or any of that.      One Panic filled push was all the time we had to get her out!   When she was born I heard the worst thing imaginable.

Nothing.

Doctors worked on her. Nurses tried to reassure us.

And then...A CRY.

Finally a beautiful, loud, obnoxious Cry!

She hasn't stopped since. She's got a warm smile and DIMPLES that melt my heart.

She loves the outdoors.


She has a real flare for fashion. Shoes, purses and swimsuits are her favorite things!

Often when I look at Jess I'm reminded of the TRUTH of Eternal families.

Just a few days after Jessica's arrival - my Dad died very suddenly.    Months later John's mom also passed away.      Jessica reminds us of each of them in little ways.   She has Grandma Hardy's dimples, her easy disposition and her goodness.   Often though, when I look at Jessica I see my Dad's spunk and tenacity. His enthusiasm. His strength and determination.

Sometimes when I think about how close she came to NOT being here, I feel such gratitude to our Father in Heaven for the gift that she is to us.

A precious little bundle to remind us that even when life is hard...

it is also Sweet and full of Miracles!

She's a good kid this one.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

A complete Bust. ...or was it?

Looking back on my previous post, it appears I may have been a little bit too hasty in declaring valentines day the start of our "weekend of family togetherness and cleaning." I think everyone got the message loud and clear because we got not a single call or visit all weekend long. On all accounts, and according to MY carefully laid out plans we should have made some major progress. Why didn't we?

I got sick. Real sick. Probably the sickest I remember being in a long time. It was bad. I don't like complaining, and I don't like to go on and on with details that don't matter, but I was...sick.

soo...

Nothing got done ...by ME at least. John on the other hand, had other plans.

His plans included this awkward little living area just to the left of our entrance. And his plans required that little yellow tool box.



(Do you like our giraffe print lino?)



This is a better view of the wasted space in our home, that we've never quite been sure how to use. It's been a TV room, a playroom, but mostly just an annoyance. Perhaps the only advantage to this space was it served as a great stage for Aunt Rachel and Uncle Brent when they would come to visit.



They like to perform for us. They dance.

Oh how we will miss the dancing.

Because, just as the chills set in and my body started to ache...John got to work. What a stud! ....Um I mean first he moved IN the studs.



Then he built the frame. Jessica tried to help...but didn't. I know this because as I laid there in my bed writhing in pain, (did I mention I was sick?), I often heard John plead with the kids to stop walking all over things, and to give him back his tools, and to "stop swinging that thing around." That's just what I heard from the other room as I drifted in and out of a deep and laborious sleep because I was, you know so ill by this point.


This was day 2. Now here I had moved my pathetic ragged body to the living room where I spent a large chunk of time assisting from the couch. I was definitely burning a fever by this time....oh um I mean John had made tremendous progress getting the first wall up and secured.

I couldn't help but notice that Jessica is STILL in nothing but her diaper. I mean honestly John. tsk tsk. I realize you are putting up a little wall, rubbing my back when I need it, feeding the kids as well... but did you have to stop at dressing the baby?

Some people just can't multitask ever.

I think at this point I managed to make it BACK to my bed.


This next picture I took AFTER I got back from the emergency room. Ear infection, Sinus Infection, Strep throat AND bronchitis. Is it even possible to have that many things wrong with you at once? If it weren't for the fact that I felt like I had all those things wrong I wouldn't have believed it myself. But I'm not one to go on complaining about me.

This looks FANTASTIC!

Here he is stuffing it with insulation. I've been on antibiotics for about 8 hours. (does anyone still care about that fact?)

I thought this was worth documenting. Sam was actually helping and Jess is actually dressed. Life must be returning to normal. Wait a minute. Sam's vaccuuming. There's nothing normal about that!

This has nothing to do with construction but then again half of this post hasn't either. I took this picture yesterday morning and laughed ...and felt a little sick after too. (I do NOT recommend clicking on this image) I'm simply posting this to show you what congestion looks like.

She doesn't know congestion.

I know congestion.

But this isn't about me. It's not like me to go on and on about my suffering. In all honesty I'm just trying to ham it up and scrounge up all the sympathy I can. In truth, I realize I probably had it pretty easy. Mother Teresa incarnate (AKA my sister Jewel) left breakfast, lunch and movies on our doorstep. My sister in law Luci left movies and the most delicious and sinus clearing Salsa. My visiting teacher brought a hot meal at the most convenient time, and of course there was John.

John.

that amazing man.

Cook, father, substitute mom, Carpenter and "nurse...man" extraordinaire. Without John nothing good would have happened this weekend and it would have been a complete bust. In reality though Valentines day and Family day were spent learning something very important about our little family. The Dad in this home Rocks. He's the beam that keeps us all sturdy. The Insulation that keeps us warm. The Mud that...holds us all together.

I was trying to use puns because...John likes puns.

Really though, isn't that what makes a marriage great. You know, when one person is down the other rises up. Compensates. Keeps things going.

John did that this weekend.

And he built a new room too.

and I love him.

And tonight when I pray I am going to be very thankful that I have him.

I'll post finished pictures when the project is done in a day or two. My job is to mud and tape and prime and paint. I'm totally amateur when it comes to this stuff but I'm feeling better you know, so it's a amateur job I'm happy to do.

What? What's this?

Is that me? WORKING?

And the heavens burst forth into singing...

Yes folks. It's true. Finally I helped.

It's like...totally a miracle!

Valentine Clutter

It has been quite a week around here for us. Jessica and John have both been sick with different ailments. John was hit the hardest with a long bout of a cold/sinus infection/ strep that has left him pretty much wiped out! I honestly don't think I've ever seen him so exhausted. Not a single joke or pun was uttered from his lips for a good 5 days or so. I missed it! I broke down this week and in a moment of vanity (and panic) got a haircut. Abby has kept us busy with her endless desire to bake treats and make valentines for everybody, and I do mean EVERYBODY that she knows.

I never thought I'd see the day when Sam would require the least amount of effort and maintenance.
Considering all that has been going on for the rest of us, Sam has practically slipped through the cracks and at times gone completely unnoticed. Poor boy. Oh well, I'm sure that he'll make up for that in the middle of Sacrament meeting on Sunday.



Life is busy. I love my life. But it's busy. I feel like I can't really get on top of things, you know, like I'm always just barely keeping up with what needs to be done. For someone like me, that is not a good feeling. I don't like it, and I've come to the conclusion that it is because my house is full of clutter. Literally bursting at the seams with disorganization and junk. Take our main utility cupboard for example.
I actually cut myself the other day when I was looking for a battery. I found flashlights, static balls, knives (hence the cut), and every tool imaginable. ...no batteries.



I've decided that Tupperware containers such as these are the best for storing those odd things that I just can't get rid of, yet don't really like. So I just toss them in a bin and put a lid on it. I though that would work but these little bins all around my house are just screaming at me for attention. "Clean me. Clean me!" they say.
By the way that satiny white bunch of material thrown in there...that's actually my wedding dress.



Then there are more obvious places in our home like our fridge. For the past few days it has been taken over by pink icing, cookies and goodies all waiting to be given away. (Thanks to Abby!) I need to clean that baby out, ...and then I need to refill it.
Take note of the soy milk in the back! That's right-Soy! Every time I open our fridge door and see that carton of organic soy milk I feel proud that we are taking steps toward a healthy life consisting of soy. ...I've yet to be able to down a glass of that stuff, but every week I still buy it. You know, it just feels good to.



Much to Abby's delight she came home with a back pack AND a giant heart shaped envelope filled to the brim with Valentines and other gifts from her classmates. She's carried it off to her room and has hidden it away from Sam and Jess.
Even though it is out of sight I have a sneaky suspicion that somewhere, somewhere...deep in her room there awaits yet another mess for me to tackle.

So that is what this weekend is going to be about. We are going to spend it Resting, Getting back to health, back on track and back to a more organized way. That's right. We're NOT going to answer our door, we likely WON'T be answering the phone. We are going to shut the world out for ONE weekend and focus on what matters most. "Quality Family Time." Can I call it that?

Why this weekend? Because it's Valentines Day of course. And NOTHING brings warmth to my heart more then a clean home!

So while the rest of the world enjoys celebrating the joy of being together, we will be working (playing a little) and cleaning. De-cluttering.

...and celebrating the joy of being together.

One big happy ...ORGANIZED family!

You know that 7-11...?

It's been a long time since I've gone home. A long time. When I say home, I don't mean our charming little place where John and I live. I mean HOME. The place that I grew up. The place that holds some of my fondest memories. That perfect little town nestled halfway between Calgary and Cardston. Farmland to the East. Foothills to the west. Claresholm. I graduated from high school 11 years ago, moved to Edmonton, and have hardly ever gone back. Sure, I've returned to attend an occasional celebration of some sort, but those visits have always been brief, and I've never really been able to see those I enjoyed most. It is always such a strange feeling to drive right through Claresholm on the way to here or there and have no reason to stop. Many times I've wanted to, but never have.

This weekend I went back to attend a wedding reception. You know, nothing makes you feel old, like seeing the girl you used to babysit get married.

As soon as we drove into town, I was overcome with feelings of nostalgia. John patiently drove around (as per my instruction) and toured the town with me as I jabbered about "this spot"...and "that place"... and "oh yeah and this one time....!" Oh my it was a lot of fun. Don't you have spots like that in your hometown. Places that bring back all those great memories?

Take a tour of my town, why don't you:

This is the Claresholm water tower, where my high school sweetheart painted my name in bright green. I'm just kidding! (If you've never heard the old country song, "John Deere Green" you won't think that was funny. Even if you have heard that song, you might not think that was funny.) I assure you No graffiti was EVER done on account of me. In fact, I never even had a High School sweetheart, or ...a High school...date for that matter. (I think it was the whole tall, gangly, awkward with braces thing that I had going on. Maybe it was the perm?)

Side note: Imagine my joy this weekend when 5 people said that I hadn't changed AT ALL since they last saw me. FIVE people said that I "LOOKED EXACTLY THE SAME as I did 11 years ago!) Thanks a lot;)

Here is the famous 7-11. I dare anyone to say they have not stopped here for a little bit of chicken on a stick. Often when someone asks me where I grew up, I get a blank face when I try to explain Claresholm. As soon as I mention the 7-11 however, eyes light up and people know exactly what town I am talking about. This was the spot to hang out on a Friday night. I mean, if you were 16 it was. Pretty much anybody who was anybody would gather here and spend a few hours flirting and acting all cool and stuff. It was such fun. Well, I mean, I never personally actually got to hang out here on Friday nights. (braces and perm etc) But I sometimes drove by, so ...that was fun, I guess.


This little restaurant sells the best french fries with a sour cream and chive dip. No major memory connected with this place, except for that dip. I miss that dip.

This was where I got my first real job as a cashier. Back then it was called the garden market IGA and I loathed going to work there. Loathed it. I spent a lot of time trying to get out of shifts at this place. A lot of time. If I had a dollar for every hour I spent trying to get OUT of working...

It got too dark before I could take photos of some of my other favorite spots. The post office, the schools, my old home, the Cedar Gardens restaurant where my Dad used to take us for dinner every fast Sunday after church. All of those places were so fun to see, but nothing was more enjoyable then getting to see so many of the people that I loved. Former young women's leaders, teachers, parents of friends, and friends themselves ...an entire community who I felt truly cared about my siblings and I. Those were the people who made Claresholm home to me. I was glad to get to see so many of them.

In every way, it was a great evening. I came home (now I'm talking about that charming little place where John and I live), with a renewed determination to keep in better contact with old acquaintances.

And a haircut.
I think it is time for a haircut.

Riddle me this...

Every semester John studies this book with his grade 10 English class. I asked him to bring home a copy for me to read and I have been LOVING it so far. It's not too long, beautifully written, thought provoking and I feel kinda smart when I turn it's pages.

Last night after the kids went to bed, I snuggled up on our new couch (actually, it's not new ...in fact it's old, but new to me), and began to delve into the life of this Shepherd boy, Santiago. John interrupted me for a moment to share a particular phrase that is included in the beginning pages of the book. It's an old Japanese proverb and it reads:

The secret to life is to fall down 7 times but get up 8

What does that mean? How can you get up 8 times if you've fallen down only 7? It doesn't make sense. I laughed at this at first, and I have to admit, I figured it was perhaps a typo. (so much for being smart eh) Yet....I 'm beginning to think that maybe it wasn't a typo. Maybe I'm just missing something.

...something important.

....something BIG

....something that only smart people figure out.

It would be an understatement to say I haven't been thinking of this phrase all day. I think I've come up with some ideas of what exactly it means, yet nothing I could adequately convey. I'll have to finish the book first. Maybe it gives the answers at the end:)


What do you think it means?

To all the moms

John emailed this video clip to me today. He didn't include any message along with the link, but I still enjoyed this song. Hmmm...I wonder why he thought of me when he saw this...?

Today's Sunrise

A New Day

Earlier this week, as I was driving John to school, I just happened to be in the right frame of mind (aka: "calm enough"), to notice the morning sunrise. It was breathtaking. The eastern sky was lit up with the most beautiful shades of pink, red and orange imaginable. It had truly been awhile since I'd seen a sunrise like that before. I was tempted to grab my camera from the house and drive to the edge of town for a great photo to capture the moment. However, the day was already in full swing and it wasn't going to slow down for me to take some pictures. I made a promise to myself that I'd return at the EXACT time the next morning to get the desired photo.



SO.... bright and early this morning, I took John to work, this time being sure to remember the camera. I drove out a couple of minutes out of town where I thought the view would be the most spectacular, only to get a picture of this:



Sure it's pretty I guess. I mean, it's decent. But where are the REDS? The Pinks? That vibrant indigo? (What is indigo anyways. Is that a color?) Where was YESTERDAY'S sunrise?! It's then that I realized, like a complete MORON, something I probably should have learned in grade 5 science. "Oh yeah. Today is a NEW day. Perhaps the sunrise is different each day!" What a concept I've learned everyone. I'll have to remember that.


As for the rest of the day: Thanks to my AWESOME sister jewel, I was able to get into Lethbridge to do some much needed shopping without my two oldest kids. With only Jess to worry about, I was looking forward to a fun and successful trip. In theory, I was going to get to visit with my two sisters -in- law Luce and Rachel a bit which is always nice, and spend John's hard earned money. Those things alone should have made for a GREAT time. Too bad I forgot one little detail - I don't like to shop. I don't like it, and it didn't take long to remember why. In a few hours I was able to:

* spend a lot of money on food and renovation supplies. (nothing interesting if you ask me;)
* get busted trying to shop lift an empty shopping cart at winners (don't ask)
* Jess may or may not have fallen out of the cart. (ok...she did, but she was ok)
* and I may or may not have cried from embarrassment due to said "shopping cart incident" ...or I suppose...BOTH shopping cart incidents. ( I didn't cry. But I was sure red in the face. INDIGO RED to be exact!)

Believe me, it was a relief to come home and spend 5 HOURS unloading the van and putting away groceries. It meant this day of shopping was coming to an end. And the end of today is a very good thing indeed.

After all, the most important thing I learned today, is that "EVERY DAY is a NEW day." Some ... are just prettier then others!

So here is to tomorrow. A new sunrise. A less clumsy me. And not a shopping cart in sight!

Watch out!

Doesn't this look like a boy who is ready to conquer the world?

If you were to ask Sam, he'd probably say he was! It's been well over a week with NO diaper, and he couldn't be more proud of himself.

Look out world. We've got ourselves a big boy now!

This JUST in!

Isn't it funny when there is news to tell- it doesn't take long to get it out! I'd like to think that I don't dapple in gossip yet this post is bound to prove otherwise.

First I must explain my afternoon yesturday. It was a beautiful sunny day and so my sister in law and I decided to take our kids out to Waterton. It's been way too long since I've been there. Infact the last time I'd been out to Waterton it was November and we'd had a great time eating lunch at the Kilmorey lodge while snowflakes fell outside the window. It was perfect. So yesturday we decided to try that again. The lunch at Kilmorey was a lot of fun. Abby enjoyed coloring, and Jessica stared out the window and did everything BUT sit still:) After lunch we drove around the townsite a bit, took a few pictures and came home.

Today. The Kilmorey lodge is gone. It burned down during the night. If any of you have ever visited Waterton, that lodge is the first one you pass by as you enter the town. Such a sad turn of events, as that had become a favorite place for the kids and I. I'm so glad we got to enjoy it one last time.



On to other news:


I visited Abby's classroom today as the parent helper. I always enjoying being around kids in a school setting. Today as I was helping at one table, Abby came and sat down beside me, pulled my head down to her level and said:



Abby: "Mom! cameron* (I figured I'd better change these kids names:) is in LOVE with me. ...and it's for REAL."

Me: ....pause....Is he? How do you know this?

Abby: "He told Hope, and she told me."

Me: (noticing that Abby is smiling from ear to ear, I can't think of anything to say)

Abby: "And mom. Mark* and Mike* KISSED me today."

ME: Hmmm. Like on the cheek right?

Abby: "No. Here. (as she points to her lips)

ME: PANICKING!!!! "ok, Abby....no more kissing. do you understand that."

Abby: "Ok"

At this point Abby ran off to play and I made a mental promise that I would start being the parent helper AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on this one!

Not 10 minutes later though, one of the boys (AKA the KISSER) looked up at me and said, "Your nose is really BIG."

That is when I vowed to NEVER be a parent helper again:)

There you have it. The latest gossip from this neck of the woods.

The loss of a historic landmark, Abby's first kiss, and apparantly my nose is big. Some news more ground breaking then other news,

yet all three facts very, VERY sad.

I had to take our van in today for some work. It's been long over due, and we realized that after getting stuck for the billionth time, the other day. You know it's bad when you're told your van has it's "Sunday Shoes" on. New tires are on the menu. And a brake inspection. Perhaps new breaks. Yowsers, I think this is going to be a bill that hurts a bit.

Many times I've asked John if he thought we could EVER get a horse. His answer is always the same, "They are SOO expensive." I don't know though, I'd take one of these over our caravan any day.

Frankly, I think John is just embarrassed at the thought of riding this thing to work. Where would he park?

In other news John LOVED the kids room. It took all day for me to paint it and get everything in place before he got home at 4:00. It was a bit stressful trying to make that deadline. A little bit too "Extreme Makeover" for me. Luckily Jewel and Luci helped by watching my kids.

I was nervous about the color I have to admit, but once I did this:

there was no turning back.


John came home and the kids were suspiciously lurking around the door, and he could definitely smell paint. He walked into the room and:

What John SAID: "Wow. ...It's BLUE!"

Translation (What I HEARD): Wow, you ROCK and so does this ROOM!

A chip off the old block.

When I was little I remember times when my Dad would ship us off to an Aunt and Uncles house, or to my Grandparents house for a day or two. Who knew why? In the moment, we had no clue why, - but to us it didn't matter. The time spent with relatives was always lots of fun, and we enjoyed visiting fun places like Calaway Park, and playing 'kick the can' with much loved cousins. When Dad would return to pick us up we'd say our good byes, get in the car, and head home. That's when we'd discover amazing things. Projects my Dad had been working on in our absense. One time we came home to find that Dad had labored all weekend re arranging the rooms so that Chad and Jewel each had bedrooms of their own. Gone were the days of us three girls sleeping in the same bed.
I remember the excitement as we ran through the house inspecting Chad's room that was now ALL the way down in the basement. After all, he was a big boy now right? Well, obviously not that big, because draped over his bed was some sort of dorky Star Wars comforter. Maybe it was Ewoks. Is that the same thing? Brimming with enthusiasm, to say the least, we ran back upstairs, shrieking like a bunch of 6 year old girls (ok we were, but so what) to see Jewel's new room. Dad had bought her a brand new bed and a comforter with peach flowers, because peach was her favorite color. PEACH of all colors? She also loved to decorate with ostriches, but whatever, that's her issue -I'm digressing. Finally, she had earned her OWN room, away from the two annoying snoops she'd previously dormed with. Oh wait- that was ME! I was mildly jealous, but even for Crystal and I, this was a big deal, made all the better by the element of SURPRISE!

Throughout the course of my childhood, things like this played out often, and it didn't take long to realize that my Dad enjoyed surprising us. He knew how sweet a good surprise could be and he LIVED for those moments. Who doesn't right? Right?


Perhaps that is why I've been planning on painting the kids room tomorrow, and still John has no clue! For those of you who might think this is wrong of me to do- it's not like I'm HIDING anything.

I bought the paint, and put it in an easy to see place at the BACK of our closet underneath a VERY easy to see blanket. I mudded and patched up the walls and he hasn't noticed, and I thought surely when I removed all shelves, pictures and wall decor he'd suspect something, but nope ...notta. I'm thinking that it has something to do with the fact that it is finals time at school, and he has barely taken a break to BREATHE, he's so pre-occupied. (I may or may not have been banking on that.)

I'm not even the least bit worried about him reading this by tomorrow either, because ...well...he doesn't read this blog. By posting this though, I've covered my bases. If he doesn't like it, all I have to say in my defense is, "Hunny It's not like it's been a secret or anything. I posted it on my blog for goodness sake." Yeah, That's what I'll say, and when I say THAT, John won't have a leg to stand on AND it will prove that he doesn't ever check in here, and he'll feel bad for THAT and forgive me for doing THIS without consulting him. Or on the other hand, he'll like it. You see - Win Win.


This time tomorrow the kids will be sleeping amongst a sea of soothing WATER COLOR BLUE, and John will get to experience a bit of the excitement my Dad always tried to create for me and my siblings. Lucky guy. Sure, I admit, John won't be coming home to a room of his very own. Nor will he have a super cool new Star Wars blanket. So in reality, I suppose this will have very little resemblence to my cherished childhood memory.

But I can betcha one thing.

He IS going to be surprised.

pray he likes it people.