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.

Baby, it is cold outside

This last weekend my dad came home because Kara became a lieutenant in the United States Army!!! And graduated from college on sat, what accomplishments!!! It was a good weekend, I had a really long day at work on Friday, so after I went to my mom's to shoot the stuff. She is always makes me feel better after rotten days. Then on Saturday morning Brandon, my parents, the kids, and I went to see Santa at camp St. Croix. It was fun, but we almost didn't get Hunter out the door. Brandon made the mistake of telling Hunter that he (Hunter) was scared of Santa, so much that Hunter started to believe him and didn't want to see Santa. So, then when Brandon realized that he shouldn't have said anything he told Hunter that we needed to go see him because they were going to beat him up- isn't that horrible- but it worked so then Hunter wanted to go. Men, I will never understand their testosterone! Needless to say that by the time Hunter saw Santa he had forgotten that he was there to beat him up0- thank goodness. And both Hunter and Lexi asked for the "appropriate" gifts from Santa, just like I had coached them too!!!- makes my life easier. Now, if I can just get all the presents wrapped in time.

After visiting Santa my dad came and Jackie and Jamie came over and we had a very nice Christmas meal and opening of presents. My dad is such an amazingly good cook, sometimes I think he missed his calling.

Then after eating myself into a coma, I decided it is probably time to start concentrating on my body again. So, yesterday I hit the Y and went over to my mom's for dinner with the kids. It was a good evening. The drive home from her house was cold and the roads were not the greatest. But again proved that Lexi is diffidently my worrier. "Mom, keep both hands on the wheel, don't you think you are going to fast, Hunter be quiet, mom needs to concentrate, I don't like the winter!" She also was able to repeat what the forecast would be for the next four days, when she watches the weather on TV- I don't know.

Brandon is doing well after his big V on Thursday. A little swollen but able to move and help out with the kids. His back is not in the best of working condition but much much better then a few weeks ago. He actually vacuumed yesterday- amazing. I think we will leave 2008 on a good note.

Oh, yeah, I got really positive review at work on Thursday, God must have known I needed a pick me up and my co-workers ;).

I think Brook is teething again, she is a drooling machine and I noticed today that her gum is swollen and actually bruised- poor thing. Of course we are still fighting runny noses- pretty much sure we will until June.

Today, Brandon and I were laying in bed and didn't really want to get out of the warm covers quite yet so we sent Hunter to wake up Lexi for school. He was so cute, he tried everything for kissing her, to yelling at her, to singing her a song- what a good little man.

I amazed at how much Lexi is reading, she is really getting it, which of course I was nervous about since I struggle so much when I was younger, with it.

Back to my ten minute list:

Things that scare me:

Snakes, snakes, and snakes. I often have dreams that snakes are crawling all over my skin. My heart starts pumping just thinking of them. Weirdly, when I first met Brandon his roommate had a snake and I wanted to impress him so I kissed the snake, man that took alot.

Another thing that I am scared of is forgetting all day that I have another patient. So, all day I tend to my other patients and at 2:30 right before I leave I realize I have not even looked at this person. Oh man that would terrible.

But most of all I am scared that something could happen to the children. I worry that we could be in car accident or one of them would get a terrible life-threatening disease. I don't know how I would live without one of them, tears come to my eyes even thinking of such a thing. In fact, I can't write more on this.

Until next time...

Hunter says some of the sweetest things:

Looking at wedding picture of me in our bedroom, "Look mom, you are princess and so pretty."
And in the middle of the night, as he crawls into bed with me, he says, "Mom, can you go and get my blanket, it is blue with white clouds on it, thanks." Like I have never seen his blanket. And later that night he farts and whispers in Brandon's ear, "Daddy, do you think God farts?"-- so cute.

Two days ago Brook slammed the door in her face and has a perfect straight bruise down her left cheek.

I found out my dad is coming next week for two days, I am excited.

Tonight I am going to Sara's annual Christmas party, which I am also very excited for and I think Brandon might come with me.

Tis the Season

Oh my where do I start? Life got really crazy the past month. Brandon went into the hunting season with great hopes of taking home another trophy buck, unfortunately, fate step in and he threw his back out again. It all started after a few days of bowing hunting and walking the hills. It started as a normal low back ache and the quickly turned into a life alternating event, not only for him but all of us. Life quickly started spirally down down and down. Brandon spent almost the entire day on his hands and knees with horrible pain shooting down his sciatic nerve. He could stand for approximately one minute before having dropping down to the ground. He was unable to help with anything, he did all he could do with kids while I worked more then usual trying desperately to make money for him being laid off. Both his mom and my mom did all they could do to. The kids would want him to play with them and he couldn't, he was on multiple meds that completely changed his personality making him agitated and spaced, with emptiness behind his eyes. It was very trying and difficult times. We went to the doctor multiple times, he had MRI on Monday of this week, but we have not heard any results. Luckily, however, Brandon has started to feel better on his own. He still has a lot pain but not nearly as bad, he is able to help and play with kids, he even snuck out this morning for a hunt. He is no longer taking his meds as often and the man I married is back. And I am so happy!!!!! Challenges are so hard and there is times when I don't know if we can get through another lay off, another health issues, another disagreement. But when we get through it and look back it feels so good. And we are stronger for it. A good friend told me once "A relationship takes alot of work, you always have to be working on it." Which is a "duh", but means so much to me and I needed someone to simple say to me, it is not going to always be easy but it is not suppose to be. When I think of this it gives me strength for another step.

On one more sad note before I move onto my beautiful children. We have scheduled Brandon's big V for next Thursday. I am completely grieving for this. Brandon didn't really want a third and I got it. So a forth to him is completely out of the question. And money doesn't grow on trees and Brandon and I will never have enough for three we have. I would be taking away opportunities from their perfect souls. So, if I made the decision to have another child, it would only be for selfish reasons. Consequently, the snip is going to happen.

Ok, so what has been happening with kids?

We had thanksgiving at Judie's (it was beautiful and so good like usual) and Hunter sang "I am going to love you forever, like you always, and as long as I am alive, my baby you will be." In front of everyone, it was adorable.
He is really into speed racer right now and goes around the house singing and dancing to "go speed racer go."

The day after thanksgiving I had promised Lexi that we would put up the tree and decorations,she gets really excited for these things. So at about six thirty in the morning I woke to her face about four inches away "Mama can you get the decorations out now." I explained to her that we would have to wait until Brook went down for her nap otherwise it would be difficult. So, all morning every twenty minutes "Mom, can you put her down now." "NO Lexi she has only been awake for an hour" Finally, I couldn't take the wining anymore and I started getting the decorations up from the basement. As I opened the boxes the kids were oohing and ahhing. And Brook, just like I knew she would be, was into everything. Finally, Lexi starts getting frustrated with her taking things away, saying don't touch that, don't do that. She looks at me with tears beginning "Mom, this is not working for me, please put them to bed."- I felt so bad. I soon put Brook to bed and Lexi, Hunter, and I put the tree up. It was so cute to see Hunter recognizing the tree this year. He kept saying to me "It is so beautiful, the tree is so beautiful, I love it." Those things got to make you smile.

Lately, we have been playing musical beds at night. Last night Hunter started in our bed then went his big bed then back to ours and then finally ending in the crib. Brook started in the crib, went to my rocking arms, then to crib, then to the pack and play, then my arms again, then daddy's chest, then the crib, the my rocking arms again, then finally ending in between us in our bed- crazy!! I just have to remind myself they are only this old for a little while and I will miss it someday.

I have almost all my children's presents bought!!!! I love amazon.

Some notes about the pictures I recently posted. Brook loves to dance, she goes up to the CD player and the kitchen pointing to it, as I play music she puts one arm up in the air and spins. Right before Brandon back went bad they had a good time dancing in the kitchen. I love the picture of Brook by the tree, the colors are great, and blurriness gives it a magical feel. The photo of Jackie and Jamie is from thanksgiving- they couldn't be more perfect!!!!

Until next time.