This weekend

It is looking like it will be a beautiful day, if the view out the front window is any indicator.

I am SO happy I am not doing Lassies now! Besides the awkward, not knowing how to help, and not clicking well with the sponsor, there would have been two parades this weekend, and  yet I am home! I would have only made $1000 for the whole year, which is less than 100 a month (less than 10 an hour of pay)(they do it year round). So while I am sad about the idea of not helping out, in reality, it has saved me stress and awkward moments trying to make small talk with someone where it just wasn't working. And I am home! God really does know best! Oh, I have decided to be religious, for a variety of reasons, which make me smile.

Now, we MUST get a tree. 

I had wanted to go to Sara Jean's Open House in Greenfield, however, I am not sure that will happen. I just don't want to bring the boys, and Karl works. Today is the last day. We will see if one of the teens wakes up and can babysit, but otherwise, it's a no. I wonder if all the good stuff if gone, anyway?

I think I will make snowflakes with the boys and maybe find another handmade ornament or two to make. They would like that. I am not really good with crafts, especially I don't like the planning and organizing part. But really, a little effort would go a long way. 

Or course we can make paper chains, but I just saw pipe cleaner chain garlands, and that might be fun and easy. 

This Web site Feels Like Home has some great ideas.

Also, we ought to visit the drive-thru nativity at Gabe's preschool at Glendale Christian Church. The boys really enjoyed it last year. 

And finally, I would really like to challenge myself to do the cardio video at least once this weekend, and definitely, I will walk the dog twice. The dog walk is only about 1. 3 miles, but it's better than not. I could do it twice, but that would be dull.

Happy weekend. Enjoy all your holiday preparations! What are you doing this weekend?

Early Morning

Liam was yelling. YELLING from his room . He told me before, "I yelled really, really loud," when he wanted to wake me up. It worked. We got up. Four a.m. I tried snuggling up with an old comforter and pillow on the loveseat-he wanted the couch, and I was too tired to argue-but he wouldn't stop talking. Finally, I gave up. Some strong coffee and some internet, and I am awake. Sort of.
He went in the bedroom and woke Gabriel. Some nursing and Gabe is now playing on the livingroom floor. I . feel. sick. from fatigue.

I looked through some cottage blogs which was fun. Just type in cottage blogs and you will find all sorts of lovely blogs with darling pictures, and fabulous looking lives. It makes me want to do this and that to my house, but I suppose a little at time is good enough. I always want to be all or nothing.
Actually, the best thing for my house's decor, will be when Gabe outgrows all the baby paraphernalia. The big round jumpy seat, the bouncer (I think he has outgrown this), the activity mat, the various toys strewn about. The toys have stretched beyond Liam's room again; I need to weed through them.

I was having a lot of pain while breastfeeding for the last month. At first, I thought it was because my supply was so low from all the time in the hospital, but it was still lasting on the right side, to the point of almost tears, when Gabe latched on and pulled off. Finally I broke down and bought the cheapest Evenflo electric pump. I have found if it isn't electric, it won't work for me. It's not the best pump as I can only get an ounce in about ten minutes, but it's enough to relieve the pressure during the day. I can nurse on that side at night, for some reason, I think because he isn't tugging and pulling and trying to look around the room. I used to make light of other people's nursing/nipple pain, but now that I have it, I can say it sucks. Thankfully, I only had mastitis once with Gabe (not at all with Liam). That is pain. I just want to prevent it now. I was in so much pain, I thought of weaning him, even though he is only six months.

Gabriel has one little tooth poking through, another one near. It's hard to watch him grow, but my tired body is looking forward to the freedom of an older kid, too. It'll come. He scoots all over and has to be watched carefully. Liam is quite pleasant. I can't believe he will be three at the end of April. He is a lot of company. He talks all the time. He loves to talk, and he will tell you so. I just don't like this four in the morning thing. He drags his blanket and pillow on the floor nearly every night. Last night, he was sleeping, and spilled his glass of water, which he also brought to floor all over his quilt. That's why he was yelling for me.

He has actually been pulling his underwear down to use the potty. He would go if he was naked (unless he was just in a "mood") in the potty, but we are tired of him running around naked, so I made a sticker chart. Each time he pulls his pants down (or asks for help) to use the potty, he gets a sticker. The past two days have been pretty good. He has seven stickers I think. When the chart is full (30 stickers), I promised him the toy chainsaw he wants.

Yawn. Have a good one.

Grand Country Inn

Karl won a two day pass to Grand Country Inn and all it entails at work last fall, so we purchased another room and all went this weekend. As stated earlier, it was okay.

I really think it would be best for a family with elementary-aged children. My teens were a little too old, though there were fun aspects, and Liam and Gabe were just a little too young. It was nice to get away, though dropping hundreds of dollars in Branson for an okay time, is a bit annoying. I think my experienced was colored by the hot tub, when it turned off the water was full of floaters and junk, and two, getting sick Sunday morning.

Here are some pics, anyway.

Ugggg

I am exhausted, worn out, and tired.
We went to Branson this weekend, since Karl won a package for Grand Country Inn at work. It was okay..Staying a motel room with a two year old-Not so okay.

I woke up with a horrible headache on Sunday morning. Thankfully pain reliever took care of the worst of it, and now there is just pressure to let me know it's there, but it's not bad. But I have been having a fever that goes up (it's mild) and then goes away. So I am alternating regular clothes with piling on layers and blankets. My eyes are tired. My body is sore. But, it's not as bad as all that. I am working today. I signed up for an afternoon job, and forgot that Karl had an extra credit opportunity at school that he really needs to go to. Working fulltime, having small kids, and going to school, doesn't lead to the best grades, and this is a chance for an extra 5% credit.
Apparently, in his classes they are talking about the overpopulation of teachers and considering making a 3.0 GPA necessary.
SO, Tierney is going to have to leave school early and babysit. She has mostly fluff classes this semester, anyway.

My neck/back hurts. I have a cracked nipple, I think. I am a mess. Well, hopefully works goes okay.

Oh to be young again

A little shy on my birthday?

Lance looks classically handsome, and I look frumpy!

These pics were hiding at my mom's.