Weekend Wrap-Up

It was SUCH a great weekend! 

Friday, started with a workout at the YMCA.  Then we went to Ogden to have a slumber party with my mom.  My friend, Jess, stopped by for a visit as well!  Saturday we played outside even though it was cold and windy in Ogden and then we stopped by the Adreon's to catch up with some friends before heading back to WDM.  Brayden got to stay with Mama Sue and Nolan, Kalyn and I came back here to see Daddy.  Nolan LOVED his one on one time and Brayden loved his one on one time with Mama Sue!  Jon, Kalyn, Nolan, and I went to Valley Junction to the smoked meat festival.  Great food, good music, and HOT HOT HOT weather!  Sunday, we had SEVERAL water fights, grilled out for lunch, I went to a movie during naptime, and then grilled out for supper with Uncle Josh.  Kids had fun and adults had fun playing cards once the kids were in bed! 

Monday was great!  We had some family time in the morning at the park.  Lunch with Uncle Josh.  We grilled some pizzas, had some more beers, and had even more water fights/swimming with the McConnell's Monday night. 

Last Day of 3 yr old Preschool

Today was Brayden's last day of 3 year old preschool at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Tiny Treasures)!  He cannot wait to go back 3 days/week (MWF) this Fall!! 

Today we had a picnic honoring his last day.  :)  He wanted to wear his new blue shirt and he was convinced that today was his "sharing" day.  He even told his teacher, Mrs. Anderson, that it was his sharing today and that he was going to share his daddy whose name is Jon. :)

He did let me snap one photo.... :) 

Here's to our first day of summer tomorrow and creating a Summer 2012 Bucket List. :) (separate post)

Thankful Thursday!!

THE LORD REIGNS! Let the people sing and shout!!!

Today I am SO Thankful and I have a lengthy list!!

I am thankful that I decided to do THANKFUL THURSDAY weekly posts.
I am thankful Jon came to the last day of preschool picnic with the kids and me!
I am thankful for great people!!! My friend's dog was missing and thanks to a generous person who took her dog to petco and then the person who kept her dog overnight and returned him safely today!!!
I am thankful for technology and people who know how to work it!!
I am thankful for the AMAZING people I have met through pampered chef!!!!!! I shattered my laptop screen while saving my sweet little Kalyn who was in my arms as I was tumbling to the floor and Deb lent me her monitor so I could get my info off of my current laptop!!!
I am thankful to a great friend (Malissa!)who offered to lend me her laptop for a pc party I have on June 2!!!

And as always I am thankful for my family and being able to be with them everyday!!!

50 Shades - The End

Yes, I finished the third book in the trilogy. 

I reread my first blog post about the first book.  Wow... my opinion has definitely changed.  Remembering back, the first book was SO out of my comfort zone, but I am glad I read all three of them!

The only way I can explain without ruining everything is by saying that the books evolve from S&M to passion/mystery/suspense.  Very enjoyable and I have hope that E L will write another book for the fans!

Looking Back/Looking Ahead

We had family pictures last Friday.  It was HOT and I was a sweaty pig, but I think Sarah got some GREAT pictures of the kids and one good enough family picture! :)  It's hard being a 2 year old and getting pictures taken outside.  Nolan just wanted to run and play and it's not easy to get a family picture that way!!!

This weekend is going to be a blast!!! 
Friday, after I workout in the morning at the Walnut Creek YMCA, the kids and I are going to head up to my mom's house for lunch with GG, nap time, and a slumber party with Mama Sue!  We are going to have a picnic supper, go for bike/stroller ride and see some of Mommy's friends.  While we are gone, Daddy is going to relax and have a "Jon" day.  He has a half day scheduled at work and is going to come home and meet with a guy for an extimate on a project we are working on at our house.  Then he is going to do whatever even if that just means go to bed at 4 in the afternoon! LOL
(PS. I am scheduling a day like this too.... but minus the overnight away from Kalyn)

We are going to Valley Junction's Smoked meat festival thing Saturday afternoon/evening after naps.  The rest of the weekend we are going to come and go as we please and we all couldn't be happier!!

Thinking about doing a Thankful Thursday weekly post... we'll see!

Family Pictures

My BEST friend took our family pictures on Friday.  She also took Nolan's 2 year pictures, Kalyn's 4 month pictures, and Brayden's 4 year pictures.  The boys were SO handsome and Kalyn was such a ham!! 

Check out the preview at www.sarahmcconnellphotography.net

Her email is mac4cy@live.com if you are in need of pictures.

Anniversaries

I love anniversaries .... Of the day I first met Jon, of the day I met each of my babies, of the days that I found out that I was pregnant, wedding anniversaries....

There are some not-so-fun anniversaries. Saying goodbye too soon to loved ones are not anniversaries I particularly like.

Three years ago today God welcomed an amazing man into heaven. Jon's dad passed away very unexpectedly and left an emptiness in our hearts. We miss him everyday and always think about what he would say and do. When we found out that we were pregnant with our third, we joked about what he would say and how happy he would be.

Rick was so good to me. He treated me like a daughter and was genuinely interested in things that I did- Farrell's, cooking, work, etc.

One of my favorite times was simply raking the yard with him one fall in Waterloo. It was right after Jon and I got married. (I was pregnant at the time but didn't know it). We were talking (he was distracting me so I wouldn't notice) while he raked behind what I was raking. :) I was leaving behind a few leaves. :)

The last time Brayden, Jon, josh, and I saw him was at maid rite for supper before he left to head back to Waterloo. He was holding his sweatshirt up to shade the car window where the sun was shining on Brayden.

I hate that this happened. I don't think it is fair. I still don't understand. And I still am selfish and want him here instead of heaven.

Love you and miss you, Rick!

Weekend Wrap Up

We had a great weekend -BUSY, but GREAT!

Thursday (yes, I start this as the beginning of my weekend), one of my BFF's and her daughter came down and we went to the Valley Junction farmer's market.  We typically go on Thursdays, but it was my friend's first time.  We enjoyed the shops, music, and food.  Then we went to Colby park to play/exhaust the kids!

Friday, we were back to our regular routine.  GLT...(instead of GTL from Jersey Shore-LOL) Gym, Lunch, Time to nap. During naptime, I did reorganized the kitchen while I packed up a few things for Saturday.  We grilled out and Josh came over to join us.

Saturday, Kalyn and I made our way to Ogden for a PC Bridal shower.  It was great seeing people I hadn't seen in forever!  Jon and Josh were golfing--It was Josh's 34th bday!!  Nana was watching the boys.  I got home in time to unload the car, play outside with the boys, and head to Newton for my friend, Malissa's 30th birthday dinner!

Sunday, we went to Boone and had a picnic lunch like old times with my mom, gma, uncle, brother, and my friend and her daughter and niece. The food was delicious and the company was great!

So I Admit It...

I am not a perfect parent.  Shocking, I know!

This week (yes, I know it is only just barely Wednesday) has been challenging.  I could use a day off!!  A tropical vacation sounds delightful if anyone would like to send me away on one!   I have found that staying home doesn't come with any PTO, so..... that's a bummer, huh!?

Yesterday was challenging and the very last button was pushed by Nolan when he decided to scream and cry off and on for two hours after his nap.  Even Brayden was asking him what was wrong and telling him that he needed to be quiet.  He looked at me like, "mom, WHAT is going on!?"

Resolution, strap the kids into the car and get a giant pop. 

Let's see what happens today!!  We are headed to the zoo with my friend and her two kids.

Another 50 Shades

Yep, I did.  I read the 2nd book, Fifty Shades Darker. 

The first book left me wanting to know what was going to happen.  Like I said, the last chapter in the first book was great. 

The second book really starts giving you some insight to answer the WHY questions I had about the characters.

There is still a lot of detailed, sexual content, but if you can look past it, there is a great story, I think.

The last couple paragraphs in the 2nd book were intense so onto the third book....

50 Shades of Grey

OK.  Everyone has been talking about this book.  I have ignored it for so long.  I caved.  I bought it on Friday and finished it today.  It is an easy read/page turner.  BUT.  I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought it.  IF I HAD, I wouldn't have paid for it.  I honestly purchased this book because my BFF read Twilight and after making fun of her for months, I finally read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The movies?  Not so much. 

SO... what did I think?  Well.... The first few chapters were a bit boring, but I wanted to see what it was all about.  By chapter 8, I was completely embarrassed that I bought the book, allowed people to see me reading it, and that I told my mother in law that I was going to read it and she said that she ordered her copy from Amazon. 

I took it to the gym thinking that I would read it while I ran on the elliptical. I reached chapter 13 while I was there and I was COMPLETELY embarrassed.  I literally hid the book, flipped it over, and avoided eye contact with anyone as I quickly finished my workout and picked up the kids from child watch.  After we left the gym, my water bottle had leaked onto my book and the pages were soaked.  I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to finish it...

This book has very vulgar language and is very, VERY detailed... TOO detailed about very intimate sexual episodes.  I am not a details person when I read-when I talk/tell stories, yes :).  Too much description bores me with books/words and I end up skimming instead of reading and then I miss out and have to reread and then I quit reading the book.  

However, I paid for the book and understood that it was dirty and very naughty after I read those chapters 8-15 at the YMCA of all places; there was no way that I was going to put the book down and not finish reading it so I could "figure it out."

After starting to read it, I had heard that this book is making women "go crazy" in the bedroom.  Barf.  If women need a nasty, porno book to get them hot and heavy with their husbands, then I feel a little sorry for the wives. 

The whole book was dirty and XXX in my opinion.  It was all whips, handcuffs, paddles, pain....I am not afraid to admit that I know NOTHING about this stuff and after reading about it, I especially have no desire to learn any more about it.

I did read the whole book.  There is something about the story and all the media attention that made me want to know what the fuss was about.  It's not the best book I have ever read, but at least I read the whole thing.  Most books that I 'want' to read bore me and I end up not finishing them. 

My favorite part.... the end.  The last chapter.  Definitely a cliff hanger.  I will be purchasing Fifty Shades Darker.  And.... after reading that, maybe Fifty Shades Freed.

Kalyn and Nolan's Stats

Nolan's 2 year appt
Height: 33 3/8 in 31%
Weight: 27.8lbs 48%

Kalyn's 4 month appt
Height: 24 1/4 in 36%
Weight: 15lbs 4oz 69%
Head Cir: 16 3/8 in 75%

Nolan is TWO!

I can't believe I have to write this post already!  My baby boy (yes, I can say that since he is my youngest SON) turned 2 on Monday, May 7th!  I cannot even believe it!  We had his Godparents, Shane and Susan Murphy and his Godbrother Jackson Murphy here on Saturday afternoon.  We grilled and played "all night" per Brayden!  Sunday the rain almost interrupted our plans of going to the zoo.  BUT it poured and then we headed to the zoo to Do the Zoo!  Jackson, Brayden, Nolan, and even Kalyn had a great time!  Nap time!  Then we headed to the Ramada waterpark!  Swimming, pizza, and Curious George pull apart cupcakes!! 

Then we swam some more and the boys went back to our house with Nana and Mama Sue.  Jon and I stayed and Kalyn was the third wheel. :) 

Lunch at "Donald's House" aka McDonalds and then we were home for naps on Monday!

Happy 2nd Birthday Nolan!!!
You are SO curious all the time and you get into everything.  You get in trouble for spitting and throwing food on the floor.  You love to climb INTO your bed.  You are a good sleeper and napper.  You get that from your mommy!!  We cut all your cute curls off... :(  BUT you look like a handsome two year old!!! 

Kalyn is 4 Months Old

Friday May 4th Kalyn was four months old! She is so happy!! Kalyn is so mellow and loves to be talked to and tickled!! She is a great nurser and that means she is also a chunky monkey!! She has tried cereal and seems to love it!

Kalyn's Birth Story Part 1

*I wanted to dedicate a day to each of the kiddos about the day they were born since I wasn't actively blogging then*

January 4, 2012
Jon took me to my appointment for my amnio at 10AM.  We had to go from the high risk doctor's office to Methodist for monitoring afterwards for a couple hours.  Jon and I were planning a delicious lunch at Jethros after I was done being monitored. My whole pregnancy, the baby was pretty lazy.  I didn't feel a TON of kicking like I did with the other two.  The nurse said that everything seems fine but the baby is just not being as active as they would like it to after having an amnio.  Dr. Osborne came in and said that the lungs are developed and then left.  I was prepared to wait a week or two or deliver the next day, so I was still feeling pretty good.  Jon and I thought we should probably call our moms and get them ready for Thursday, delivery day.  Just a minute or two later, Dr. Osborne was back and said that it would be more risky to wait a day and he didn't feel comfortable doing that when the baby wasn't being as active.  SO.... we were having a baby that day.... I was NOT prepared for that!

*we knew that we were going to have another c-section since we ended up having one with Brayden and then scheduled one with Nolan because of the gestational diabetes*

By now it is 1:30 or so...

I was completely prepped for my c-section. Jon was frantically making the appropriate calls so that the boys were taken care of and that was all he had time for before we went into the OR.  As I am laying there, Dr. Osborne starts talking to his nurses and the rest of the crew about how good Jethros sounded and everyone started chiming in about their favorite sandwiches, etc.  Note: he knew we had planned on going there for lunch and he also knew I hadn't eaten since before 6AM!  SO, he was in good spirits and felt comfortable joking with me which is important for you to know.

A few cuts later and out came the baby!  Jon was looking at the baby and I was ANXIOUSLY and "oh so patiently" waiting for him to tell me the GENDER of our new baby when after what seemed like an eternity (2:41PM), Dr. Osborne says "IT'S A GIRL!"  I remember asking a hundred times if he was serious and saying "OMGosh!!!"

They asked us if we had a name and of course we did!  Kalyn Sue Schoeberl..... after Sue Lynn and Susan Kay (grandmas) and Jennifer Sue (me).

The NICU was there because she was only 36 weeks.  They checked her over while Jon watched and FINALLY they weighed her ... 8lbs 12.2oz.... The NICU said she looked great and Jon brought her over to me.  She was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

NICU nurses checking her over



Daddy, DAUGHTER, and Mommy

Around 3 or 3:30 or so, my mom and Jon's mom got to the hospital and sent the boys in to meet their sister!  They were more interested in having a snack... Then Jon had the grandmas come in.  We tried to get Brayden to tell them that he had a sister, but eventually, to avoid a meltdown, I said it and the grandmas went crazy!!! It was funny!!!!

Mama Sue with the boys, Kalyn and Jon







Wordless Wednesday

Mall Play Areas

I am SO not a big fan of these. However, it is a nice change when it is rainy and muddy (cold, snowy) outside. Plus it makes you interact with the parents because if you have boys, they WILL at some point play too rough. I do believe that you need to parent YOUR kids when you are out in public places like this as you would at home and sometimes even be a bit more strict.

BUT don't take your kids places if:
You are a fun hater
Want your child to be perfect
Want other children to be perfect
Want them to walk very slowly between play equipment
Have a fear of other kids coughing
Have little babies that you put on the ground to crawl and not watch them but get annoyed when an almost two year old accidentally trips over them and your crawler is fine.

We went to the play area today (vw not jc). There were six kids total. Half of them were mine. Two were with their gma and then a sports dad (he was watching sports something on his fancy phone) who had a crawler , maybe ten months old. Brayden and Nolan naturally play together and Brayden asked the little boy if he wanted to chase "me and Nolan." boy took off running and Brayden and Nolan followed. The gma got SO mad.

She kept yelling at the boy to stop running (as I tell my boys to run on the other side so to steer clear of the crawler. Gma kept the dirty looks coming my direction. Now I think there is a time and place for stepping in when your child or grandchild is in danger or being hurt. She hollered at the three of them and told them to sit down.

Moms out there.... What do u do?

I politely moved to the other side of the play area, told the boys to play with each other and explained that the other boy's gma didn't want him running.

Kids in this age 18 months-3 or 4 play by chasing and copying each other. I am pretty flexible when it comes to the kids when we have play dates. I try to let the kids work it out on their own whenever possible to teach them how to resolve problems. When someone is hurt or could be hurt or they are in danger, of course I step in.

I have been PLEASANTLY surprised how well my boys play with each other. I am a proud mama! Even prouder when strangers tell me how well-behaved they are!! :)

So... What are your thoughts on public play area etiquette?