So..............

So we have been so crazy that as you can see I have not updated my blog in two months. I am SO sorry to anyone that actual reads this thing. I made this blog so I could have a sounding board and I never use it.

So what have we been up to for the past few months. Well Jim loses his job on Aug 15th with the U of I thanks to our state being corrupt and broke so thanks again IL for your crapiness (is that even a word?) So needless to say Jim has been looking since March and has had two interviews (that's it), so we are a little overwhelmed with that bit of news in our lives, but there is nothing we can do that we aren't already doing so I guess we will just keep on truckin.

We had a wonderful 7th wedding anniversary on June 7th. We had a night alone without the kids and watched movie all day and night and swam and hung out in our hot tub in our hotel room, it was wonderful and our tradition that we have done since our second anniversary. It was a nice release from real life.

We had a great 4th of July. We went to the German's 4th of July Party (our first year) and it was a BLAST. The kids had a great time and I know that Jim and my folks and myself did as well. It was laid back, and super fun celebrating with all our friends. I know we can't wait to do it again next year. Thanks German Family.

Let's see then we went up to Chicago and went to the LGBT Pride Parade. It was awesome and I have never felt so much happiness and love in one place. If I had to experience what the 60's and 70's would have been like with "free love" "no war" this would have been as close as I think I could have gotten. I truly have never seen a group of people so happy and proud and I tell you, if we were all a little more open minded we could be just as happy and proud of who we are and where we come from. I think the LGBT should run the country. :) It was a once in a lifetime event for us that I hope to make more than than and go every year.

Then we went for a mini vacation to Key Lime Cove and Six Flags in Gurnee IL. OMG it was SO much fun. Key Lime Cove was amazing. It is an indoor water park with some of the neatest water slides and water activities inside a hotel that I have ever seen. They had a lazy river with a wave pool, a hot tub, fours water slides, another type of water slide, and then the kids play area which is a giant jungle gym in the water. It was so cool. The had an arcade, and a place that little kids could go to do activities and feel somewhat normal in all the chaos of the trip.

Then we headed over to Six Flags and my kids got pictures with Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian, and Porky Pig. They loved that part. Then we rode rides in the kids area, and my children rode an actually rollercoaster. I was SO impressed with them. They loved it. We also did the log flume and other bigger kid rides. It was a lot of fun, but we were very tired by the end of the day.

We also had VBS in July and it was so much fun. I did the crafts for the older kids at MUMC and it was a blast. I love doing art projects but I will admit that 2nd graders are the worse. :) J/K they listened worse than the 1st graders. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work. I spent many hours preparing for all the crafts and then I would have 2 hours to have 150 kids do those crafts 20 mins each class-it was rewarding and fun but truly exhausting. :)

Alex had some tests done this month as well to make sure that his heart was happy and healthy and it is, however that makes it almost impossible to get a name for the joint disorder that we have (of course I would rather him be healthy than anything else). So we will just keep an eye on it as he gets older and deal with what we can in the hear and now. He will have to start doing some physical therapy and he will have to do leg work to make his tendons and muscles strong.

Other than that, we have had a pretty good summer. I will admit that I am SO ready for our children to go back to school and I am sure they feel the same way. We look forward to more pool days, zoo days, Curtis Orchard days, and Prairie Farm days until the summer ends.

I hope you all find your summer going great and I hope everyone has a safe fun rest of the summer.

Liz

P.S. I will try to get some new photos up as well. We have been really bad about that lately.

Mother's Day Pictures

We went to New Salem and Lincoln's Tomb for Mother's Day and it was WONDERFUL!!!!

Old Posts

So I wrote a past post about Jack and Kelton's Combo Party but I didn't have a chance to get any pictures up so here they are. Enjoy.



Jack and Kelton's Combo Party

The German's Bounce House

Brian Fulton our hero (thanks for taking Al)

Great Grandparents

Jack's Personal Assistant Emmie :)

Happy 6th Birthday Big Boy!

Jack and Paw-Paw (My Dad)

Me and My BFF Kathy :)

Jack's Star Wars Theme Party!

The Family

I hope Jack paid Emmie well for her help :)

Hello again

Alex, Peyton, and Jack all ready to camp. :)
















The boys being very nosy.














Alex Riding Koa


Sorry it's been a little while. I had some great stuff to post and my mind has already forgotten most of them. So I will write what few things I remember and wanted to share.

So about a month ago I was putting the kids in the car (we have the auto doors), well the kids know we have them, however for whatever reason when I had closed Jack's door from the other side of the car (with my key pad) he
thought I did it with magic. Now we aren't talking like he thought it was magic and then let it go. O know. He asked me if it was magic and I told him yes and that I have magical powers-he believed me. He is so typically not a gullible child, but he bought it. So much in fact that there have been a few other instances when I have performed "magical" things and he really thinks I have magic powers.

Now what is really cute about this is when he asks me randomly if my magic powers are "working right then" (I told him they only work ever so often, and that I can't really control them). So to have him ask me that and then to have him try to make "his powers" start to work is almost more than I can take. I mean it is SO cute. So yes, according to Jack I have "special powers".

So I don't know about any of you-or if anyone even really reads my blog other than my friends, but do any of you have that "one child" that tests you as a parent, heck even as a person?? My youngest, Alex, is so strong willed, but at the same time very emotional, and affectionate. He is also the clumsiest child I have ever met (well maybe Cole wins that one-but he is a champ at making close call recoveries). I love this child so much but he truly lacks the "don't do that" gene, like I think I could tell him the earth would blow up and he would be ok with that. So he either trust me enough to know I would never put him in harms way (which is why he calls my bluffs so often) or he really just doesn't care about the consequences.

I mean this is a sweet little boy that wants to be SO independent in so many ways, but then in others, acts like his life is going to end if I don't help him. It is exhausting, and it is everyday. So far today he has talked me into two snacks before lunch (because he was STARVING) and then he wanted some yogurt and I was ok with that, but he lacks patience more than any child I know. I was on the phone with Katie and I told him to hold on and I would get it in just a minute when I got off the phone, and then right in front of me he grabs the yogurt out of the fridge and then it slips through his fingers and explodes on the ground, carpet, and fridge. Thank God I was on the phone with Katie at the time and that distracted my brain if at least for a second so I didn't kill the sweet little thing. :) Then after that it has just continued with....I need.....I'm hungry......I want.....and it is driving me NUTS. I know we all have that child that if they weren't so cute they would have been a bath tub statistic a long time ago, but how do you get across patience without them thinking they are in trouble, or to encourage them to be independent about some things but not about others without confusing the poor things?? O the things they never prepare you for in baby classes-they need toddler, child, teenager and young adult classes. That way you have a handbook to look at to somewhat prepare yourself. :)

O well, that is my sweet nugget and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

On a much more exciting note, Jack has his first lose tooth. Yahoo!! He is 6 and has his first one. We are so excited and thank heavens he lost his before Alex lost any. :) Jack is SO excited and can't wait for the "Tooth Fairy" to come.

We also went camping this past weekend and I have attached some pictures of that fun outing, I have also put some other pictures of Mother's Day on here as well that I didn't have a chance to post last time. I hope you enjoy and I hope you are all well.

Liz


Jim and Natalie putting her and Peyton's tent up.


Everyone Hangin out the next morning.

Knitting

Well today I finished one sock/slipper for Alex. It is far from the most beautiful thing ever, but it actually fits and stays on his foot, so even though it is not something I would ever make for anyone else, my kids think they are pretty cool. Not to mention it takes forever to make-I don't know how Kristi does her's so fast. I take forever to knit.

So this morning at Kairos drop off. I heard the kid quote of the day. For those that don't know what kid quotes are, it is a phrase or word that is so cute it has to be shared. It can also be a sentence that you thought you would never hear in your life. Since my kids are only cute ever so often (at least to share with people) I thought I would take quotes from my friends kids as well.

So thanks to Cole S. this is the kid quote of the day: When asked what Cole did this past weekend, he told me that he "Milked Tina" I swear just like that plain as day he told me he milked Tina. So once the rest of the story was told I found that Tina was a cow that he milked and not some random woman. :) So thank you Cole for the kid quote of the day.

I hope you all have a great evening and try to stay dry.

Liz

Wow.............

Well so much has happened in the last month. I can't believe I haven't written on here since April. Sorry everyone that may care. :)

Well lets see what has happened in that time.......

Jack had his 6th Birthday on May 3rd and his Star Wars Party was on May 1st. He had a combo party with Kelton German. We were at the Forrest Preserve Park here in Monticello. It was a lot of fun and very laid back. The weather cooperated and it was a nice day.

We have also started Soccer Camp (for Jack) and T-Ball for Alex and Peanut League for Jack. So needless to say we have been pretty busy and I see it continuing for the next several months (if it ever really does end). It is a lot of fun though and I know the boys enjoy it.

For Mother's Day we went to Springfield (Petersburg) to New Salem and then to Lincolns Tomb. Then we had dinner at Apple Bees in Springfield. It was a wonderful Mother's Day.

I wish I had more to update and I do have some great new photos that when I get the chance I would love to put them on......I guess we will see when and if that happens anytime soon. :)

For now, I hope you are all well and getting ready for summer.

Liz

More Kid Quotes

So I don't know how many of you know the One Eye One Horn Flying Purple People Eater song, but it is really cute to hear my kids sing it. They have the refrain, great until they have to say One Eye One Horn Flying Purple Peater Eater....or Eater Eater, or Eater Meter.....it is very cute.

So today was a good day, after a long night with Alex getting up about every 1-2 hours with some issue, whether it was his covers, or to blow his nose, we were all very tired. I have to say I have a pretty great hubby because when the kids get up at night he always takes care of what they need so I can sleep. So Jim got up at 5:30 and Alex comes into our room about 5:45 and acted like it was time to get up, needless to say I had Alex sleeping next to me from that point on.

I got the grocery shopping done today and that is truly one thing I really hate to do, besides dusting, laundry, and dishes. :) I had a very good helper though. After that I tried to get some work around the house done, but I just didn't seem to get very far with that, and after realizing that Jim and the boys are home all day together tomorrow I know my house will be a train wreck again so I guess I will clean on Wed.

I made my Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrot, Soup and some Rosemary, Targon, Garlic Chicken, with Couscous that had Pine Nuts in it. It was a very good and VERY filling meal. As I sit here typing I feel I am going to explode. :)

Well tonight is Family Movie Night, so we are getting ready to watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. We love that movie.

As I sit here and type I can hear my boys in the background playing hide and seek and it makes me smile and gives me a warm spot in my heart. There is nothing better than hearing my children playing (nicely) together. :)

Well I hope everyone has had a great day and I hope tomorrow is even better.

Talk to you all soon

Liz

Kid Quotes

So Jim and I have always loved the things that our children say (what parent doesn't) but we wanted to make a website (and we did) called Kid Quotes and put the things that our children say that are just to much to handle without bursting out in tears of laughter. So I decided to put some on here to share with all, but to also have them kept on the computer so I can look back at them, when my mind keeps fading away. :) I will add them as I remember them.....

Jack's List
(I have spelled the words so you can read them)

Playbee (Probably and Maybe Combined)
Lasterday (which is any day in the past)
Palooter (Computer)
Bresket Bar (Breakfast Bar)


Alexander's List

Smushmellows (Marshmallow's)
Eschfries (French Fries)
Chickenmuggets (Chicken Nuggets)
Sprinkles (For bath wrinkles)
Sgetti (Spaghetti)


This is all I can think of at the moment, more will come to me I am sure......

I am also going to add the kid quote of the day as well (something my kids say that makes me go huh??) :)

I hope you enjoy!!

Liz

Relished Moments

So today after Kairos drop off, Kathy, Kristi R., Cara, Katie F. and myself all went back to Kathy's house to put Auction Baskets together and it was a nice time getting to have girl time together while being creative.

After Kairos pick up Alex and I came home and I started making stocking caps for the boys for fall winter this upcoming year. I imagine I will get them done by then. :)

Then after pick up from Lincoln, Jack, Alex and myself went into Champaign to spend the afternoon/evening with my parents. We had a great time. My dad made a new sand box for the boys. It took 800 lbs of sand, so needless to say it's like a beach in their back yard. :0) I don't know who liked it more my kids or my dad. LOL!!

So before dinner I was walking with the boys while they rode their bikes and I was barefoot in the cul-de-sac that my parents live on, and I started thinking about when I was their age. The house my parents live in now was my paternal grandparents house when I was growing up. I loved being their and it was their house until I was 20. So when my parents bought the house it was a wonderful and fulfilling feeling. I knew that my kids would grow up with that house as their grandparents house just as I did. I have SO many wonderful memories of that house and with our large extended family. So as I walked barefoot, it reminded me of when I was 6 and being there and it gave me a warm feeling inside.

Then when we came home, Koa (one of our dogs) and I went on our walk. We walk about 2-4 miles a day for both our benefits. :) I love walking in the evening with her because we take the bike path and we have a special spot off the trail that her and I go and sit and watch the sun set and listen to the frogs and birds chirp and tonight was no different. However I have to admit I truly enjoy the time I get with myself and with my dog, out in nature getting to experience Mother Nature at her greatest. I feel more with God and Nature when I am outside and hearing, touching, seeing, smelling (not so much tasting:) all that there is to take in out there. It is my piece of mind, it is my deep breath. I cherish those moments SO much and need and crave them so often.

It always seems that moments like those only happen ever so often and in reality they happen all the time everyday, but normally we are too busy to realize it and appreciate it. I do believe it is to be that way because if we realized how wonderful things were around us all the time (even when it doesn't seem like it) then we would never truly appreciate how truly wonderful they are.

So with all of this said I just wanted to state that today I got to spend time with great friends, ones that I love with all that I am, and with myself and nature. I got to look back at my life and where it is now and to look forward to a wonderful future.

Well......I need to go put my little ones to bed. Thanks for listening. :0)

Liz

Day one!

Well we made it through the night and surprisingly without any real fuss from little one. We ate at midnight and then we were still asleep when I woke baby up at 5:30am. So not quite as bad as I anticipated (at least not yet) :) At first I thought "Oh I hope we made it through the night" I wanted to get up before the kids because I didn't want them to find out when I did if the baby didn't make it. However when I reached my hand in sure enough it squealed at me. :)We are also A LOT happier today.

Today is Alex's Easter Party at school. I need to go get some pre-filled eggs as I have eggs but no candy to put in them, so pre-filled eggs here we come. We are also heading into town this afternoon to spend time with my parents. They are redoing many rooms in their house and I am excited to see how the bathroom looks today (first room done). They start on the Family Room tonight.

I can't believe tomorrow is April 1st. I feel that every years goes faster and faster. I remember just 10 years ago how time felt like it took forever and I couldn't grow up fast enough. Well now I feel like time is flying by and I can't keep up. I feel my babies slipping away into adolescence and it makes me a little sad. I feel like it was just yesterday that Jack was born and he will be 6 this May.


It is hard to think that in just six years my little boy went from a little 8 lb Peanut to a blooming 6 year old. Time goes to fast.
























Now with that said what I find even harder than watching my first born grow up (which is both hard and fun all at the same time) is seeing my "baby" growing up and knowing that in Dec he will be 5 (AH) He went from my little snuggler to my big snuggler (but at least he is still a snuggler).

It is hard to think that something so small, will grow into man someday. At least for now I still get to have my little snuggler.



Well at least for now, I can look back and realize how fast time really does go by and be grateful that I realize it and can remind myself to enjoy each and everyday with my children.

Well that is all for now, see you soon.

Liz

Well......what can I say I work at a Vet Clinic

So today we had a client come in and she had found a newborn kitten. I mean like it had the umbilical cord still attached this morning. Well, since it was all alone and with no other kittens, we came to the realization that it was most likely abandoned by the mother. There can be many reasons for a mother cat to do this however in the case of this little one we believe it is because it's a screamer. O yes if there is a screamer in the litter (Wuss Puss) then the mother will abandon it for the protection of her other kittens (who don't need a predator alerted of where they are). So now with that said I am in possession of a screaming newborn that needs to be fed every hour or two. So I guess God granted me my wish to have another baby, just in a very peculiar way. :)I will get some pictures up in about a week or two (hoping we make it that long). It is real iffy for kittens until they are about 3-4 weeks old if they will survive, and even more so in the first 48-72 hours so wish us luck. Just what I need another animal. I believe this is my calling in life to care for those that can't care for themselves. I believe this is God's want of me. I am just to much of a softy I guess.

More later,

Liz

Wednesday March 24th 2010


The Mortlands Easter Brunch



So I decided to host an Easter Party for our good friends and their little ones, a kind of girl time together over Spring Break. Since we raise rabbits I thought what better party to host then an Easter Party. We played with Easter Play-doh, Easter Coloring Books and Stickers, we also played Pin the Tail on the Bunny. The kids had a great time coloring Easter Eggs as well. We had Easter cupcakes and an Easter Egg hunt, but above all that, I think the LIVE Easter Bunnies made the biggest impression. I must say Cora (my friend Kathy's daughter) was a natural at holding the bunnies, I was impressed. I think everyone had a great time and I know I had a wonderful time hosting it and getting to see all our friends.

Easter Cupcakes

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

The Egg Loot after the Hunt

Our Sweet little Bunnies

Everyone sitting around in a circle with the bunnies

Everyone getting to see the Easter Bunnies for the first time

The Girls and their Bunnies (from left to right...Cora, Amara, and Emmie)

A BIG thanks to Katie F. for taking these great photos-Thanks hun!!