10 I Loves

1. I love it when we are blessed with a sunny 60 degree day at the very end of December.

2. I love it when I get to play cards with my mom.

3. I love it when Aiden tells me that he likes and loves me.

4. I love it when my hubby is home from work (especially on Fridays).

5. I love it when I get to catch up with my good friends.

6. I love it when I tell my boys I am going to vacuum and I can hear their feet running around picking up all the things they love before I vacuum them up into the unknown.

7. I love it when Aaron flaps his arm around when he is excited about something.

8. I love it when my home is finally clean...even if it only lasts for a day.

9. I love it when I find a good book.

10. I love it when the boys are on vacation from school. I love them here.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We sure did and we still have a week off before school starts back. Here are some pictures of the boys from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Gram and Grandpa always gives us all PJs on Christmas Eve. This year the boys pajamas were How to Train Your Dragon themed. They loved them. Especially the wings! They were sooo wound up and bouncing off the walls!



At Grandmas, our cousins gave the boys some "reindeer food". It was a combination of oatmeal and glitter. Very neat. We went out side and sprinkled the food on the ground in preparation for Santa and his reindeer.




On Christmas Eve we had some snow. It was pretty and NOTHING like last years snow. Yay!



The boys received alot of great gifts and one of the best was from Gram and Grandpa. Their own personal DVD players. Aiden has watched the movie Cars over and over again on it already. I like it because they are still with us in the living room and Rick and I can watch something besides cartoons.

I hope everyone has a blessed New Year. Be Safe and Keep Warm! Thank you for everyone keeping up with our family and sending us such wonderful comments and emails. We love to hear from all of you and I will keep trying to keep up with the blog some more in 2011.

Twist and Turns

The last few months we have been thrown alot of curve balls. But through all I couldn't believe the GRACE that God has given us through it. Things do happen for a reason I am sure but sometimes it is hard to see the reasons.
One thing that got us was septic problems...I know, ewwwwwwwww!!!!! The worst part about it is that the lowest part of my house plumbing wise is the kitchen sink. THATS where it came in at. With the kitchen being the heart of a family mine was sick. Really sick! Of course it started when my inlaws came to visit.
Through asking questions and some figuring we realized that the septic had NEVER been emptied by the previous owners and they were here for about 30 years. We have been here for four. *sigh*
I called a septic pumping company and told them we had a idea where the septic was but we were not positive. Would they find it? How much would they charge to dig it up? How much to empty it? Ya know all the questions I am sure.
When the guy came out to find/pump out the septic the first thing he mentioned the septic never being pumped and we are not real sure how old the septic is so, it is probably shot.
My stomach dropped. Not a good thing when you really can't use the toilets. I stayed outside with him while he poked around a determined the place and shape of the septic. He dug and dug and dug. As I watched him I was sure the wasn't making the money he was worth. He needs a raise! After several attempts and holes later he found the lid. Yay! He informed me with the amount of digging he had to do that the price to dig it up was higher. Fine, fine. I still don't think he is paid enough.
He pumped out the septic. I am sure I was sitting in the fetal position just waiting to hear the fate of our septic. Would this be thousands of dollars or a few hundred? I prayed the whole time. I prayed for the grace. Gods grace to get us through this.
I wanted the old farm house. I had to take the good and bad with it. But sometimes I feel that my husband has to take care of alot of the bad. He really is a wonderful man. I must say that I have handled things well when needed. Like the time I saw a snake come out of the paneling at the ceiling of my kitchen. I handled it...yep, like a scared little school girl. I can handle just about any reptile or rodent but when things are above my head I get a little anxious.
Anyways, back to the fate of the septic. IT WAS ALRIGHT! Talk about answered prayers! He pumped it out. Lines were still clogged. That was not in his job description.
My handyman came home and fixed it with the garden hose from the business end of the septic...Have I told you I just love that man? Also got some pictures for ya. ;)


Aaron was in charge of turning the water hose on and off <----- Future handyman in training.



You know I took this with the zoom lens.


Ricks homemade hoist to lift the slab of concrete they used for a lid.



I love him <3

Talking Turkey ... Already

(I originally wrote this the day after Halloween. I still needed to upload the picture still, then BAM! it is Nov. 7th. Oh well, here you go)
I heard something the other day that has ran through my mind over and over again. They were so right. They were saying that Halloween is the start of the holiday season. When I was younger time didn't go by this quickly. Actually days seemed to drag by. Even summer vacation seemed to last a while. Now, time goes by with just a blink. I blame alot of it on bills. As soon as a month goes by and you are paid up to date it is time to start all over again. To think about it, we only do this twelve times a year.
Just last night was Halloween and today there was talk of meeting up for the holidays and what do the boys want for Christmas. Christmas!?!?! I have no idea! I haven't even put up the summer clothes. Yes, I do know that summer is over and I am not one bit happy about it. We have taken the pool down and we are now stacking fire wood.
Geez, I really need to get the family holiday pictures printed. I am afraid that I will go to sleep tonight and I will wake up the day of the deadline. Does this happen to anyone else or am I the only one that feels like Father Time is stepping on my toes?
I do have to tell you that last night was nice. The weather was very comfortable. I didn't want to stop trick or treating with the boys because I was thoroughly enjoying my walk with them and mom. Rick was our driver and we would go to some houses and jump back in the car and go to a new neighborhood. The wind had died down last night and it was really pretty out.
I did have a side splitting thing happen with Aaron though. As you see in the picture he was quite dark. Well, we didn't think much about it when he picked out his costume but his costume became harder and harder to see through as the night became darker. We were stopping at our final house, Aaron quickly threw his mask back on and hopped out of the car. I was standing there waiting on him and I got to witness the whole thing! When he jumped out he caught his footing just on the edge of a ditch and when he turned to maneuver his way around he walked into the car door. He turned around hopped over the ditch and fell into the persons front yard. I watch him pick himself up and just stand there...face to face with a sapling. I noticed his mask was on backward. He just stood there. I asked him what he was doing and to turn his mask around. I told him he was in front of a tree. I was laughing pretty bad by then. He turned his mask around and said, " I was just waiting for the tree to go by I guess." LOL!!! I had tears running down my face. The home owner was just standing there with a smile on his face and staring at me. I am sure he thought I was going to tumble into the ditch because I couldn't stand up straight.
All in all, it was a good night.

Aidens Fall Field Trip

I was able to go on Aidens field trip last week. I love being able to participate in the boys lives as much as I do. A huge thanks goes to my hubby who takes care of us and makes it possible for me to stay home and spend time with the boys. I really appreciate that.
Here are some pictures that I wanted to share with you.
It was a really good day with the exception of the drive down there. I had my GPS but it didn't recognize the address of the orchard we were going to. I followed the bus until we were separated at the traffic lights. Grrrrrr!!!!! I was okay because I was behind two other parents in the entourage. All I had to do was stay behind them. They knew where they were going. Right!?!?!
The light turns green.
One parent goes one way, the other goes another way.
What!?! Wait!
What do I do? I apparently chose the parent with the lead foot and lost him after about a mile. I was in a bit of a panic. Okay, I can listen to the lovely lady on my GPS and hope we can get as close as possible and then go from there. My mom was with me and my life was going to be okay. For a minute...
I quickly realized that I had about ten other parents following me!!!!
I was really nervous then! I was leading the whole kindergarten into a world of the unknown!!!! Listening to my GPS lady we jump of a road and get on the interstate and then jump back on a regular road. Nothing seemed right. I had doubts and sweating bullets. I decided to pull over. You should have seen the cars that pulled off as well. Jumping out I ran to the car behind me. I asked her if she knew how to get there. She told me no and that she was following me. I am sweating more...actually I had cold chills! I ran to the next car and asked the next mom. She was on a cell phone getting directions. She told me we were going the right way. When we get to N hwy to make a left. Phew!!!
I did what she said and I am glad because my trusty GPS lady told me to make a right! I took the left like the fellow mommy said and we arrived there the same exact time the buses arrived (from the opposite direction). I still don't know how that worked out and I really don't care. We made it! We all had a great time seeing the animals, picking pumpkins and going on a hay ride.
When we left the orchard, I had a general idea of where we were all going to meet for lunch. I left for the park...early...before any buses left the orchard...before any parents could follow me. I was staying in the clear and able to wander about aimlessly all by myself, and of course, my mom. We had no problems getting there. We even had time to stop for a coffee.

The first school week has went well. Aaron woke up early every day and is excited to go. I was worried about him because all summer he told me he didn't want to go anymore.
I think the hardest thing as a parent is making your child leave the security of the home and the place he loves and shutting the door behind him.
He had a rough time going to summer school (someplace he didn't HAVE to go and was suppose to be fun). BUT I was working in the kitchen the whole time and no one would be home for him. The only comfort I could give him while he sat on my lap and wiping the hot tears off of his face was that I would see him at lunch time which is half way through his day. It made me sick to make him go. I wanted to tell him that we could ALL stay home and I would home school and we could be here forever.
As the days went on...his days got alot easier and he started to have fun.
Thank goodness we didn't have a repeat when the new school year started. Phew!!!
As for my Aiden dear...he is clearly not a morning person.

Back to School

Wow I cannot believe it is school time now. The day started off well and I pray that the boys day continues to do so. This is my first full day alone for almost seven years! I really can't say I am excited or sad. Things happened so quickly but the place is REAL quiet. Thought....hmmmmm....I should update my blog. Freedom of choice! Fun! Okay, I might like the time alone...today...for now.

Are they home yet? Ho Hum...
Is Aiden doing super hero moves in front of the class?
Is he eating everyones snack?
I bet he is already trying to learn how to read.



Is Aaron wiggling so much that he has fallen out of his chair?
Is he showing all his friends his THREE missing front teeth?
Does he remember how to read?



Why isn't Rick calling me? Doesn't he know I am alone and lonely?
Will the boys be embarrassed if I try and look in the windows of their classrooms?
Will I get arrested?
Should I just yell, "keep your hands off your brother!!!" in an empty house and will it make me feel better?

Wow I miss them... tick tock tick tock

When Good Intentions Go Bad

Today we (the boys and myself) went with Gram and Grandma Skinner to the store. When we turned into the parking lot something caught my eye.

Hmmm...the boys would probably like to see this. They probably have never seen or touched one before is what I was thinking to myself. We went into the store and as we were going in I told the boys I wanted them to see something when we left and to please remind me.

I am really interested in the boys getting a chance to look at places, textures and anything that catches their attention. I know, I have boys...one of my rules is it has to be appropriate.

It all started with lil A one day. We were driving down the road and he has always felt the need to tell me about every stop sign. Yes I do stop at them. I don't know what the attraction is for him but he does like them. But this day he piped up and said, "I just wish I could touch a stop sign."
It melted my heart. Wow, this is one thing I could do. I was hesitate because I had on a brand spankin new pair of shoes on and...it rained lately. Oh well. We did it. We stop the car (I do that at every stop sign) get out and tip toe to the sign. I raise him up as high as I could and BOP he smacked the sign. All was perfect in our world.
Since then I have tried to stop and let them explore our lives.
In the past we have jumped out of the car and touched a dancing wind guy in front of a business (the owner walked out of the business and kinda glared at us and we waved bye and jumped back in the car with the boys screeching with laughter. Okay I was laughing too), Big A got to touch a sinclair dinosaur in front of a gas station. Lil A was asleep.
Then there was today. I spotted cattails. Cooool! They would love this!

Hahahahaha, I had no idea. I am silly like that.

They really liked them. Aiden wanted to know if he could eat it. I tell him no but that it was suppose to stay like they are now and then they would seed and get fluffy....in a few days....little did I know.
I cut two off and let the boys take them home. We stuck them in the ground by my goldfish pond. The boys thought they looked great there.
Don't they look great....err ummmm...doesn't IT look great?

Guess what...Ruby happened. *sigh*



Don't let her sweet face fool you!

This evening Rick stepped outside and the boys followed. I decided to stay in and "surf" some blogs. Shortly, Rick walks in and says, "you see the kids on the trampoline."
He caught my attention.
I have seen the boys on the trampoline alot of times. So I ask him is it bad? He shrugs his shoulders and sits on the couch. I get up and look out the backyard. What the... I look at Rick and he says Ruby found the cattails. I couldn't resist. I grabbed my camera and here we go.
Oh wait, I think I have seeds stuck in my hair still.
Hmmm...How did that get on the trampoline? Rick!?!!??!





Honey, you starty, you cleany. Good night!

Busy weekend

This last weekend was packed full. One of the fun things we did was go fishing for crawdads with some great friends. The kids had a blast and I think the guys had fun to. The guys went first and would fish a spot and then the kiddos would get in the water when the guys were done. It worked out great because the guys would know how deep the water was to make us moms happy and while the kids played in the water the guys walked over to the next watering hole. It was beautiful there. I am sure the water was cold. I didn't get in the water because I wanted to take some pictures. I snapped a whole memory card full. Here are some of the takes.














Also planned was a night with Gram and Grandpa at the carnival. They take the boys every year it comes to town. I tagged along this year because of some bad storms in the area and we would be able to go straight home if needed. So...I took pictures! Yay me! Things went great and the weather behaved itself.Aiden went up the slide with two friends and they planned to go down it all together. Well, I guess thiings didn't go as planned when he got up there. Another little boy went down with them. So, Aiden chose to turn around and be done with the whole ride. Felt pretty bad for him but he was fine by the next ride.


Gram was the official rider of the scrambler. I tried to stay back in the sidelines since was Gram and Grandpas night with them.
Due to my anxiety, I rode this ride with Aaron the first time he rode it. He still seems so small. Too small to ride this. But Grandpa bought my tickets and let me step in to settle my fears. All went well and I was able to breath a little better when he rode it by himself. I am shocked at how little they can be to ride some rides. Sometimes I wouldn't mind having shorter kids.
Earlier this summer I found out that Aaron is tall enough to pay full adult price at our local amusement park. Does that mean he is big enough to ride the roller coasters? Not if mama is there...sorry boy.

Aiden likes the smaller rides and so do I.