New Age

I am so excited I just got my wireless internet to work!!! Now I really don't have a excuse not to make posts.

Tomorrow is Brandon's 35th birthday- what a old man- I love that I get to say that for the rest of my life! The kids made him some very cute cards, and he is getting a backpack for Roxi to wear while shed hunting. Today, I asked him if he had thought anymore about going back to school and for what... his answer really surprised me.... he said "You know while I am in the woods, I see so many beautiful things and I wish others could see them the way I do, so I was thinking that I would like to take some photography classes." I had to laugh out loud. I mean I think that is a wonderful idea... but this came from the man that never wants his picture taken because he thinks it steals a piece of his soul---to funny. But, it would be a wonderful adventure to try and it is not a huge commitment, I mean he could continue with what he does now, not a lot of interference.

Lexi everyday impresses me with her smarts. Tonight she did her homework flawlessly. However, it was another late day due to sleeping in late, we all really need to work on that one! We also made Brandon's cake all together, they loved stirring and stirring. I liked it too.

Hunter was over tired and so winy all night, he comes to me just crying, looked at me with those big blues and said "Mom it just isn't fair, I never get to do anything." "Well, Hunter what do you want to do?" "I don't know."- with more sobs. My heart had to go out to him.

Work is not always a bad thing...

So, today is my first back from a week and half vacation, the longest amount of time I have gone without working since before I Lexi. And I was totally ready to come back, in fact, the last few nights I have been dreaming about work. I guess that it is a good sign, that I miss my work. I miss the thrill and the kids were good but I think they were getting a little sick of me and vice versa.


We went to the lake all weekend, it was fun, Brandon wasn't able to be there the whole time but it worked out. We took the kids to the swimming beach and we ran around chasing each other. Of course, Brooklyn wasn't scared of the water at all and screamed when it was time to go home. Lexi was swimming all over with no life jacket, but I was most impressed with Hunter. He started out his usual scared self but my the end of the exertion he was beginning to swim (an under water run, more like) but swim! He also didn't want to leave. Hunter and Lexi also tried swimming off the boat and tubing in Grandma's lap. Unfortunately, Lexi, Grandpa, and me got really really bad swimmers itch, and let me tell you there is nothing worse the itching everywhere! Lexi got it the worst and poor thing it is the second time this year already. Abby, Jason, and Charlie were able to join us for one day too, which was really nice. It is so sweet to watch Hunter with Charlie, he loves babies so much and wants to help and play with them. He kept asking if he was a "really really good babysitter." He even fed Charlie his food- so cute.





One of the greatest things about this weekend was the fireworks. On the forth we watched them from the patoon given by the Long Lake association and they were ok. Brooklyn was particularly cute, at first she was so scared running and burying her face into us, but by the end of the day she was use to the "boom boom" and just watched in amazement. But the real treat was the next night when Larry the Cable Guy put off his. They were the greatest fireworks I have ever seen!!! They were extremely close and set off from four different locations, the kids and I watched with our mouths hung open. They were so beautiful, tears came to my eyes.





Funny story that I forgotten about until Brandon mentioned it again this weekend. All the guys had been over for a Nascar Race, including Mike, Eric, Rob, Tony and Jon and they were all drinking beer of course. Well, Hunter wanted a spit sooo bad a kept begging Brandon, finally Brandon said "Sure." So Hunter took a big swig and immediatley got the "digusted" face (frown and squited eyes), took a exagerated swallow and said jn an abnormal deep voice "awesome." It was hilarous to know that he hated of little drop of the that beer but wanted to look tough in front of the guys. Got to laugh!

Poor Roxi got the old fixaroo today. She is home now doing well. I feel bad for her but I don't want any more babies around this place!!!

My cousin Dani is also visiting, which is always a pleasure! Today we went for a walk down a the Willow River, that park is so incredibly beautiful! Brandon and I are going to try and make it a goal to go down there more often with the kids. It creates an amazing since of peace that overflows you while watching nature.

I looking forward to going to the lake this weekend, I feel like my vacation is speeding by. So is the summer. I started scrapbooking Brooklyn's first birthday, it feels good. Hopefully I will keep up with it a little.

Where has all the time gone?

Ok, so I have been really bad about keeping this updated. I guess I need to make a better effort. It has been way to long to go back and enter every detail so I well say a few things that pop into my mind.


Brandon is loving fishing. We have been up to the cabin the last two weekends and have had an awesome time as a family. Brandon has been really showing Hunter and Alexa the ropes of fishing and both the kids are getting pretty decent at casting. Hunter even made it an hour and half on the pontoon with just Brandon. They caught a couple little ones. Brandon is also working very hard with Roxi, he is quite a good trainer I have to say. Roxi sits and listens really well to Brandon, not so well with me, but we are still trying.


Alexa has started softball, her first organized team sport- she loves it! They have their first game this week, we will have to see how it goes!!! She is also really looking forward to summer vacation. She continues to be awesome at reading, she reads to herself now, Junie B Jones are her favorites. She finally started riding her bike with no training wheels!!!!! Now, her and Hunter race up and down the driveway, we even started letting them bike down to cul de sac by themselves.



Hunter also continues to be hilarious, this week I caught him peeing of the dock but the real funny story came two days later when I wasn't home. Apparently, Brandon had been in the restroom and when he came out he asked Lexi where Hunter had gone. Lexi said "outside." When Brandon went outside and started calling for Hunter at first he couldn't hear him but after a few seconds he could hear Hunter's bike on the road biking back from the cul de sac, once Hunter was in sight Brandon took a hard look at him and realized he was naked from the waist down with just a short white t-shirt on and his dairy air hanging out. When Hunter got back Brandon asked him what had happen to his shorts, Hunter replied "I had to take a pee back there and couldn't get my pants back up, so could you go get them?" Then this week he was fighting with Lexi, when out of no where he screamed at her "your fired!" I just started rolling, even Lexi started laughing. They have a bittersweet relationship. One minute they are bestfriends running around playing wonderfully together the next they are bullying each other. However, the really bully can be Brook the other day Hunter was sitting in front of the TV minding his own business when Brook out of no where came up behind him and pull his hair, right out of the top of his head. He just looked at her and said "No no Brooky." Then thirty minutes later Hunter was rubbing his head up in her lap saying "my baby my baby." And she didn't like that apparently cause she swung at him.



Brooklyn vocabulary continues to grow at an alarming rate. She is now saying "toot" when she farts and "I don't know" is her favorite phrase. The other day I found Lexi and her sitting in the rocking chair together and Lexi was teaching her to count off her fingers, it was soooooo cute. And then the best thing ever, she started saying "I love you." My heart warms just thinking of it, she is so loving always giving me hugs and tugging at my legs. She especially gives me love on my bad days, she as a keen sense of when I really need it. A very special soul she has.



As for me, my Malibu finally took its last breath and Brandon and I bit the bullet and got not just one but two new cars. And I love them both, I never have been that interested in cars, I mean I have never driven that nice of cars with all the gizmos. But now I finally got some of the perks and holy cow I am loving them!!!! We got a '08 Town and Country (minivan), I know I know I always swore I would never drive a minivan but you just can't past by the tv, stow and go seats, and rear backing up camera. Not to mention the 15 drink holders! Mainly Brandon drives this van and I got (drum roll please) a fully loaded Dodge Drango and I LOVE it!!! It has leather interior, black shiny exterior, remote start, a way to adjust the radio from the steering wheel, and the seat automatically adjust back to my position, it is simply amazing.

Overall, life is speeding by but it still is soooooooo good.

Winds of Change

I think Hunter might be one of the funniest kids alive! He is constantly making up hilarious new voices and running around like a mad man.

Brooklyn is talking more, when you ask her "Where is Hunter or Where is...." she says "I don't know, " in her sweet baby voice. She also answers appropriate to yes or no questions. My baby isn't such a baby any more. I am now scared to cut her hair because I know that means that she really will become a little girl.

Lexi is doing awesome in school, really excelling at reading, it blows my mind how from the start of the year she could barely read a sentence and now she is starting chapter books.

What's new? Brandon is back to work, which is bitter sweet in my opinion. I like that we have money again, but I don't like that he isn't around as much, and now I get to do alot more work around the house. But, he is happy. This year he is going to try and work outside more and less in the club house because he misses the "peace" of being outdoors. I tell him that is fine but don't forget the sunscreen!

Lexi is doing very well in school, she is at second grade level reading which is amazing. I always worry that my children will have difficulty with reading because I did. I joke Brandon and I should either make brilliant children because I was good at math and science and he was good at English and language or we are going to have really stupid kids. So far so good.
Last night I signed her up for her first year of softball, I think she will enjoy it. Extra activities in our house is always a sore subject, Brandon feels that it is a pain to get the kids to places in the evenings and would rather just stay home and have them play outside. His words "I didn't do sports and they don't have to either." My feelings are much different I think that the kids should be involved in things because it teaches them skills of working with other people, self motivation, importance of exercise, failures, achievements, etc. I feel that we need to make the activities work, even if means that our lives harder. Part of being a parent is sacrifice. However, I can see how it is harder on Brandon because I am the one who works evenings and he would be the primary driver and it really isn't fun buckling three kids in. But, still.........

We Bit the Bullet

Our biggest news, we got a puppy!!!! Her name is Roxi and she was born January 9th, which puts her at just 6 weeks. Four days ago Brandon announced we were getting a dog and he had found a rat terrier at the pet shop. I immediately flipped out, saying "you can't make this kind of decision without me, what about money, who is going to deal with the dog when you aren't around, even if I was going to get a dog I want a long haired dog a 'soft dog'." I was mad, mad, mad! Well, he found a breeder in Hammond with yellow lab pups for sale and made an appointment that day. We drove to the house and one look we were all hooked! We took her home and amazingly, I am so happy she gives me this feeling that our family is complete. Surprisingly, I would never would have thought a dog was the answer to a feeling of "incompleteness." Now, Brandon has agreed she is his baby, meaning he gets to do all the work. He gets to get up in the middle night, he gets to clean up all the "accidents." Hopefully, everything will go well!

Liven on change and hope

Well, for my family 2009 is starting out pretty good. Brandon and I are finally figuring out each other schedules and who is responsible for what without fighting about it all the time. We closed on the refinancing of the house for 4.75, which is amazing and couldn't have come better time! Lexi is liking school and more willing to do homework, even though it still isn't her favorite. Hunter rarely has potty accidents besides at night, and Brooklyn keeps becoming more and more sweet- well most the time. So life is good. Unfortunately, for other friends and family times are hard. The lay offs are crazy, people don't know what to do. People are losing their houses. It is so hard, so sad. Last night friends were over and we talked about how we are praying for Obama to help, even though none of us voted for him. But, he produces hope and hopefully he produces change, even though the economy is so slumped it doesn't look very good.

I think alot about how people now just except things and feel entitled to them, like "I have to have cable, cellphone, new car, a vacation, new clothes, new house decoration, new wii, new TV, new......" I am just as guilty as the next guy, but when did this happen, when did we all lose control or thought the greed was OK. It is sad and hopefully with the bottom falling out this wake up call and each of us look inside and make peace and strive for changing our ways.

Onto a lighter subject...

Lexi lost her last front tooth on Monday night, "I was eating a piece of orange and it just fell out, can you believe it, unbelievable, I have to tell daddy, what is all this red every where, mom?" Holding a Kleenex with blood all over it, my response, "It is just part of the root, it is normal."

Hunter is obsessed with my driving, "Mom, we are almost out of gas." "Mom, two hands on the steering wheel!" "Don't play with the radio while driving." When did he get so observant?

Brooklyn is my sugar and spice. She is a mom' s girl, with a little hatred for me. When I get home she is all hugs and kisses and then hits me over and over. It is really weird. I hope this isn't a sign of our relationship in the future.

The other night Brandon and I were going out and Rosie was going to have the children over night.
Lexi: "Why do you want to go out with Daddy?"
Me: "I love daddy that's why"
Lexi: "That is gross don't talk about that, it is only OK if I talk about loving other people. It grosses me out to think of you and daddy loving each other-disgusting."

It has started already that icky feeling of thinking of your parents, I get where she is coming from.

Well, the holiday season is actually over! Every year after all the buzz of Christmas decor, lights, presents, and food, there is something very refreshing of moving on with the new year!!! Christmas was good, busy times again. We went to my mothers on the 23rd for her Christmas, she always serves lots of yummy appetizers, lasagna, and great gifts. Not to mention her house is decorated beautifully. And of course Santa made a special appearance for the children. Alexa was so excited as she sat on Santa lap she could not stop twirling a large piece of hair (I wonder where she got that from), after jumping down to help hand out gifts, you could see her legs were actually shaking with excitement. Brook could really have cared less of the man in the red suit. But Hunter on the other hand was full of questions for Santa. One of many funny conversations with Santa included....

Santa, "Reindeer pull my sleigh."

Hunter, "My dad shoots deer."

Santa, "Well, my reindeer are very magical, people can not shoot them, that is one of things that makes them special."

Hunter with a very confused face, looks at Santa, then announces "That's Crazy."---I could not stop laughing.



On Christmas eve unfortunately, I had to work so Brandon, Rosie, and the kids went down to farm (Rosie's side) without me.



Then on Christmas, we woke up to lots of gifts from Santa and us. Lexi got her Wii and Hunter got his big speed racer car and bat mobile. But, they also got a surprise from Santa including a kid four wheeler for Hunter and beautiful huge pink Barbie house for Lexi. They were both very excited but especially Lexi, she screamed and screamed. It was so cute. Santa did a wonderful job from carpeting, adorable little curtains, and window shutters with little hearts---so cute. It is something our family will always treasure and hand down to the next generation. I also think Santa did such an amazing job on it, he could go into it as a business! ;)

The following Friday Jackie and I went down to Grandma Joyce's. It was very nice seeing all the family. Wild as ever.

Then finally ending with Rosie's on the 3rd. It was again very nice, but I am so glad everything is over and the decor is down.

We also had a nice New Years, I had to work so after a friend, Jen, came over and Brandon, her, and I watched my favorite movie Super Bad. I laugh so hard just thinking of it- a must see, trashy, but must see.

Brandon has no new year resolutions- surprise surprise. My include the usual, lose weight, organize, send a personal note more often, scrapbook, and cook new meals. Lexi was watch more TV- I am not going to allow her to accomplish that one. Although I am very excited for 2009, I hope it is really good.