Guess who isn't in NJ?

I feel like a complete idiot!
I cleaned my whole house...made a few meals and put them in the freezer for my hubby and kids...wrote cute little post it notes and placed them all over the house...packed my bag...put it in the car...loaded my kids into the car...printed our my itinerary...got in the car...drove off to the airport...checked my RETURN flight to let Tom know when to pick me up on Monday...

Then it happened!

I had the wrong time written down for my flight. I was suppose to leave at 3:45pm NOT 9:20! The emotions that overcame me were intense! What do I do? Who do I call? Travelocity, Continental? Tom quickly turned the car around...I called Travelocity...but they couldn't help...well they did give me the number to Continental. So, I called them...and was told that everything was booked. The agent told me to go to the airport and see if I could fly stand by. So Tom drove me to the airport. And the agent there told me that everything was oversold. AND since I didn't call to tell them I wasn't making the flight (give me a break...how can I call them and tell them I am going to miss my flight? I didn't know I was going to miss it.)they went ahead and canceled my return flight. She told me she could get me on the 7:30am flight tomorrow...but it would cost me $1041! Yeah, like anyone can drop that kind of money with no notice (those of you that can...good for you) So, since I couldn't go stand by (because they overbooked the 9:20 flight by 2 people) I had to take a credit voucher for my flight. I began to cry infront of the lady and called my husband to come pick me up!

Then I called my sister! She was as devastated as I was...we couldn't even speak past all the tears. Why did I not double check my ticket? I am the most organized person I know! Such a bummer...I have such a headache. I don't want to even think about my sister's poor kids. They are going to wake up tomorrow excited to see me...only I won't be there...my sister has to tell them I missed my flight. I can't imagine how my sister is feeling...her house was all ready for me to arrive...the kids were all tucked away in their beds...and then I call and tell her what happened! Such an idiot!

Well, I did find another ticket. I had to pay another $175. I am flying on the 21st...three weeks from today. The only positive thing I can think of right now, is how wonderful my hubby is. He never yelled at me, never acted upset...he just felt sorry for me and my sister. He didn't even flinch at shelling our another $175 for my trip. He is amazing. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a wonderful man. He is such a blessing to me. I am going to go hug him...I haven't thanked him yet!

Mixed Feelings

I have such mixed feelings today! I am getting ready to go to NJ to see my sister's new baby. I can't wait to meet her! I can't wait to see my sister again...it has been a whole year! Of course, I also can't wait to see my other niece, Abby and my nephew, Luke. We are going to have such a great time together.

So why the mixed feelings? I do not want to leave my hubby and kids. I find it terribly hard to be away from them. They bring me so much joy and happiness. My life is so entangled in their lives. I know they will be fine without me...and I will be fine without them...and it is only 4 sleeps...but it is still so hard. I have written them sweet notes...and will hide them all around the house for them to find. I will call them a few times a day...and the distance between all of us will only make us love and appreciate each other more!

I am reminded today of God's unselfishness to send His son to die for us. I cannot imagine giving up one of my children...even if it meant saving thousands. God's love for us is so strong and amazing...I am so glad to be one of his children!

While mom is cleaning...the boys will find something to do!

What's For Dinner?

Today is Monday...my cleaning day. The only day all week that I can get all the bathrooms clean, mop all floors, dust and do laundry! I should be doing that right now...but instead I am trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight.

Does anyone else have this problem? I like to cook...but once in a while I get in a rut. I start to feel like we eat the same thing all the time. My kids hate that! I did make a new chicken dinner last night...very good. Thanks Carrie for the recipe.

I checked my usual sites this a.m, cookinglight.com, myreciepe.com...and nothing is screaming YUMMY! So, I have no clue What's For Dinner! Somebody give me a new recipe!

19 Hours ALONE w/ Hubby, Cost = $51.50

Last night my great friend Jennifer offered to take our three children OVERNIGHT for hubby and I. We had taken her three kids a few weeks ago for a couple of nights...and as a thank you, she and her hubby decided to take our kids and give us a very nice gift certificate to Opah. A restaurant we like to go to!

I dropped the kids off at 4p.m and met Hubby at the car wash! We sat and chatted while the cars were being washed.

Cost of car wash = $30.00

Then we went to a movie...Step Brothers. Very, very funny movie...but also very vulgar!

Cost of movie with popcorn and water = $21.50 (we had a one free movie pass)

Then we went to Opah and split an appetizer and dinner.

Cost of dinner = Free (gift card from Schmidts...and we have more for another night!)

We sat and talked at dinner and closed the place down! We had such a nice time talking...with no interruptions from the kids. AND we didn't have to hurry, since we weren't paying a sitter.

The cost of this date night normally would have been $196.50. (Assuming that we had our normal sitter at $10 an hour) Thank you Kent and Jen for allowing us to have an affordable night out!We had such a fabulous time. It is always so nice to reconnect with one another after a long week.

Cost of the Schmidt's friendship = PRICELESS

A Special Morning

I woke up this am...and as usual headed to the gym. I returned home to find Tiger awake! I was a little surprised...it was only 6:15. His eyes were still half shut...maybe I slammed the door when I came home?

I finally convinced him to go back to my bed and try and sleep a little more. He was willing to do this for me, probably because it was my bed he was stumbling back into. I whipped up my protein shake and had a thought. So I grabbed the "motherhood journal" I wrote in when he was still in my womb. I had plans to take him out to Starbucks and read it to him there...for our date night last week...but hubby ended up working late...and date night never happened.

I cuddled up next to him and began to read all my thoughts to him. It was so special...just the two of us...stealing a few quiet minutes together. Tiger is a people pleaser...he want to make sure everyone is happy...even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. (I wish all my kids had that personality...but then what would be special about Tiger?)

Anyway, I almost cried reading my thoughts to him. There is so much I had forgotten...the first time hubby felt Tiger kick...how Cutie would rub my belly at night and sing to Tiger...how I couldn't eat or smell eggs...all the names we were thinking of (and we chose none of those)...how my dad cried watching Tiger's birth (my dad doesn't cry)...how much Tiger cried until the nurse handed him to me...how I thought he had a pack with his dad from day one (you see Hubby went to change his poopy diaper the first night home from the hospital...and it took three diapers to change him because he kept pooping) Hubby didn't change a diaper for a long time after that. Tiger wouldn't nap in the crib until I put the shirt I was wearing in his crib...he needed to smell me all the time...I had forgotten so much...and was/am so glad that I wrote it all down.

It was a really special time for Tiger and I. Little Guy came in towards the end...and was a little bummed there weren't any pictures of him (we had moved onto the baby book)...and of course Little Guy is always saying cute things.

Little Guy: Oh look! Tiger is wearing my pjs in this picture...oh, and in this picture he is wearing my shirt!

Little Guy was so proud...Tiger and I just smiled at one another...we didn't have the heart to remind him they were Tiger's jammies before they became Little Guy's jammies!

Reflecting back on my special morning with Tiger...I am reminded how I need to continue journaling about my feelings of being a mother...I think my children will love to read it when they are grown and have children of their own...but probably not as much as I will!

Kids say the cutest things

The other night we tucked in the kids and sat down to watch a little tv. All of the sudden we hear Little Guy crying.
Tom: Little Guy why are you crying?
Little Guy: because I want to watch tv with you and mommy. I don't want to go to sleep.
Tom: Oh Little Guy, you need your rest so you can grow up to be big and strong. When you are small you need more rest than an adult.
Little Guy: Me want to be little forever daddy. I don't want to grow big...so can I get up and watch tv?
I don't know how Tom didn't scoop him up and bring him into the living room with us. I would have melted at that line. However, my husband knows when he is being manipulated!

How old do you have to be...

to be able to do this???

And in all honesty...I am not doing it that great. Cutie asked me if I knew how to do the bridge? Of course, I said YES! Then Tom grabbed the camera and got this shot. Do you have any idea how hard this was for me? I like to think I am in pretty good shape...but this was no easy task. It didn't help any that Tom wanted to time how long I could hold it! FORGET IT! My head actually hurt! BUT, my kids think I can do anything...I couldn't let them down! Ha! Stop reading this and get on the floor and try to do one! Let me know how it goes!

Tuesday Night at the Beach

I love what good friends they are to one another.

Skipping Rocks is so much fun.

Little Guy had so much fun hitting the baseball

Nothing liking stopping for a little silliness

Another beautiful sunset

I look forward to Tuesday night every week. I love that Tom comes home early from work and we spend the evening at the beach...as a family. Tonight Tiger and his friends played football with Tom. Cutie entertained the little girls...since none of her friends were able to make it tonight. She loved being the oldest girl! And Little Guy played a lot of baseball with Tom. I enjoyed watching and hanging with the other moms! I can't wait until next Tuesday night

Call the Orthodontist!

I have decided that Little Guy is never going to stop sucking that thumb! When do you make your little one stop sucking his thumb? Maybe the question should be, How? I have tried, without a ton of effort I suppose! We tried the, "You can get a new toy" route...that didn't work...then we tried the "Let me see that thumb so I can paint this nasty stuff all over it" route. I think that worked for few weeks. Then Little Guy would just suck off the nastiness so he could have his thumb back. Now, I think we are going to just let him do it...and pay to have his mouth fixed! Is that horrible? Should I be a tougher parent? Any advice?

Our Kid's Day

We are so blessed to have three beautiful children. Today we spent the day celebrating them. They have been so looking forward to today.

Originally our plan was to make chocolate chip pancakes with whip cream and jelly beans. But, we went to Costco yesterday and tried their sample of Cinnamon Toast. The kids took one bite and started asking us to buy it for Kid's Day. How could I say no? It is so much easier to toast up some thick bread and slap butter on it before church than bring on out the griddle and make pancakes! We did still serve jelly beans!

After church, Sweetie and I took a little cat nap. The rest of the family went to the park and rode bikes. After our nap, Sweetie rode his bike in the neighborhood. Then we played a little Wii...Tiger's gift was the Indian Jones game. Tiger asked us last week if they would be getting gifts like we do on Mother's day and Father's Day. We hadn't thought of that...but why not?!Tiger got the Wii game, Cutie got some more music downloaded on her Ipod, and Sweetie wanted an Elmo toy!
We headed to the kids favorite restaurant for dinner and then went to the movies. Oh, and don't forget the ice cream! We had planned on getting ice cream before dinner...but the kids decided they wanted to eat first! Go figure!

Now we are getting ready to get into the hot tub...Sweetie's back is better! Sweetie asked Cutie if he could sleep in her room tonight! So, she told both her brothers they could have a slumber party in her room! I don't know if they will get any sleep, but they are having fun!

We are so thankful the Lord blessed us with our children. I hope they will always know how much we love them, but how much more their Heavenly Father loves them!
Enjoy the slide show below!

Kids Day - July 20,2008

Sunburn Relief...

is at a slow start. Sweetie is still pretty red. We put aloe vera on a lot today. I actually found this spray that works really well. He didn't like us to rub anything on his back. Has anyone ever put plain yogurt on a sunburn? My neighbor suggested it and then to have him soak in a bath of salt water. I haven't googled it yet...thought I would ask all of my blog friends! What do you do for a sunburn?

Kids Day is tomorrow! (June 30 post)My kids are so excited! I will be sure to take lots of pictures!

My dear friend Julie started a blog. Please click on her name on the right and welcome her to the blog world!

The Beach AND Sunburns

The kids and I met some friends at the beach today. We had a such a wonderful time that no one wanted to leave...so we spent the whole day there! We saw dolphins and sand crabs...dug holes and went boogie boarding. It would have been a perfect day, except I didn't sunscreen the kids enough! We go to the beach 2-3 times a week...and I drive my kids crazy with all the lotion...but today I don't know what I was thinking (the sun was behind the clouds more than usual?)...my youngest got it the worst! Poor little guy. We poured on the aloe vera...and he finally is asleep!

Check out Cutie's blog...she had a huge achievement today! We are all so proud of her!

How do you know it has been a good day?

When your kitchen looks like this!

(The garbage is on the counter to keep the dogs out of it)

And the kids rooms are all a mess!

We had ten kids over to play today! What a great time with friends. They played the Wii, swam and made cookies! I am so proud of my kids and their friends....they actually picked up their rooms without me asking...maybe that was because they were trying to get me to say yes to a sleep over! Well it so worked! Tiger is at a friends tonight, Cutie and I are off to book club, and Sweetie is hanging with his daddy! Today was a great day! Hope yours was too!

What's your High/Low?

Tonight I had a date with all my boys! Cutie is at a slumber party (can't believe she is old enough for that already) so Hubby decided we should take the boys to dinner. The boys chose Cheesecake Factory and chose to sit outside. The weather was perfect. They had so much fun being silly...the table infront of us kept turning around to watch Tiger take pictures of Hubby with his silly face. I wonder where my boys get there silliness from?!

During dinner we always play "high/low". You go around the table and tell your "high" (great thing that happened) and then your low (not so great thing that happened)

It goes like this:

Dad: Who wants to go first with high/low tonight?

Tiger: Me! My high is right now! I love eating dinner together. My low is that Cutie isn't here with us. I pick Dad!

Dad: My high is definitely being with the boys right now. My low is also that Cuite isn't here. I pick Sweetie.

Sweetie: My low is Cutie isn't here, I miss her. My high is that I love my mama, daddy, Tiger and Cutie. I pick Mama.
Mom: My high is being with all three of my boys. My low is that Cutie isn't with us.

How precious that we were all happy to be together, but missing our Cutie. I am always amazed at how my children almost always say that dinner is their high. It doesn't matter if we spend the whole day at Disney...they will always say eating as a family is their high. I have to agree, there is nothing I love more than sitting around the table with my loved ones enjoying great food...creating more memories.

A Day With Mom...

I am an Aunt again!

My sister had her precious little girl on Thursday night. I am officially an aunt again! She named her Cameryn Carmella. She weighed in at 7 lb! I can't wait to meet her at the end of this month and see my sweet Abby and Luke!

I Think I Am Falling In Love With...

...RUNNING!

Most of you that know me well are probably re-reading that line! I know it is crazy, but I have been running for that past two weeks - OUTSIDE. It is a huge difference to be outside. I have tried running on treadmills, but I get bored. There is something about running outside that I just love. It is so nice to watch the sun rise and hear the birds(or my Ipod) - today I heard a crunch under my right shoe...sorry Mr. Snail, I didn't see you!

I started out really slow...just run/walk/run/walk and now I am up to running 2 miles every morning. I can't wait to go again tomorrow.

I just learned that running outside is ORGANIC/GREEN because I am saving electricity. Who knew!

Allowance - How Much?

We took our children to the bank a few months ago and had them all open up savings accounts. They seem to get a lot of money on their birthdays and holidays from extended family and friends. We have always let them spend their money on whatever they want. We jump into the car and run to Toys R Us, Best Buy...wherever it is they think they need to go at the time. I think we can all relate to that. The money was sent for a gift...so lets get a gift! :)

Then what do you do when you are shopping at Target or wherever and the kids start asking for things? If yours are like mine, they get bummed out that you won't buy the toy...but by the time they are back in the car...they have forgotten what it was they were wanting. So we made some new policies at our home few months ago. Here they are:

1. 10% of what they receive must go to the church

2. 50% must go into the bank

3. What is left after that goes into their piggy bank at home (this is their spending money)

4. Mom and Dad are no longer buying any toys, ipods, ds games, etc EXCEPT for holidays and birthdays.

5. They get $5.00 a week (they chose to be paid monthly = $20)

6. When you have decided you want to spend your money...you must wait 10 days before purchasing the item. This allows them to think through the purchase and be sure they really want it.

I am just curious what you do with your children...and if $20 a month is too much or too less or just the right amount. Or if you have any other ideas?

Look! Tiger has his two front teeth!

I have been asked a lot lately by extended family and friends if Bryce has gotten his two front teeth yet! The answer is YES! Look at that smile!

When Tiger was a little guy (16 months old), he tripped and fell on the pavement and landed face first! He ended up knocking out his two front teeth. So we ran him to the dentist and he pulled out what was left of Tiger's two front teeth and stitched him up! The doc told us that Tiger may end up having speech problems when the adult teeth finally grew in. So, I have prayed for years that when those two front teeth come in...he would not begin having speech problems. Well, the teeth are finally in...and he is speaking and eating just fine! Praise the Lord! Now he is enjoying an apple with his front teeth instead of his side teeth! Ah, the little joys in life! Love you Tiger!

July 7 1996 - 12 years ago...

Hubby and I got hitched! It is hard to believe we have been married for 12 years now. Do you remember when you got married and how you thought you couldn't love that person any more than you already did? Well, you can! Hubby and I have been through so many things...but through it all we have only grown closer to our loving Father and one another. I would marry him a hundred times over! It is such a blessing to be his wife. I am so thankful for him and all he does for me and our family.
Hubby and I normally celebrate our anniversary by going to a nice dinner together. But this year we decided to celebrate with our children. Hubby told the kids yesterday that today was a special day because it was the day we started our family. We called today our "family anniversary day". They were very excited to celebrate with us. We took them to a movie, dinner and then to the regional park to walk the dogs, throw the football and play at the park. We had a wonderful time. During dinner Hubby told the kids how we met and how he proposed to me. Sweetie was so cute! He wanted to know where he was when dad saw me for the first time. Tiger told him they were all dead! Hubby had to explain that none of them were created yet. Then Cutie wanted to know if it was hard for dad to ask Papa if he could marry me...and if it was hard to actually ask me to marry him. It was a really neat time with the kids.
I am so thankful for my husband and my family. God has truly blessed us!

I love this picture! Who is walking who?

4th of July

I love the 4th of July. I wish we could celebrate it more than once a year. We are so thankful to all the men who fought to give us our freedom. We explain the meaning of the 4th to our children every year. This year when Hubby asked the children, "Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?" The two older kids shouted, "because we are a free country." Hubby then asked, "Free from what?" The kids were quietly thinking...and Cutie said, "Britain?" Ah, she got it right! I really want my kids to understand the meaning of the holiday. It is so much more than dressing up in patriotic colors and watching the fireworks. Sweetie is still a little young to understand...but he will get it soon.

This year we hung out in our pool and then went to the recreation center in our city. We met some friends and had a great time. The kids took a boot camp class, rode rides, and ate snow cones. Then we all cuddled up and watched the show. I loved the show so much this year. The fireworks were amazing, but what I really loved was the music. I don't think I have ever watched the fireworks while listening to such great music, Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, My Country Tis of Thee and more. It was awesome! Then afterwards all the kids played football and smashball while we waited for the traffic to clear up. Then when we were walking back to our car we met Officer Tom. He was very nice and let Sweetie sit on his motorcycle AND push the button to make the lights go on! What a way to end a wonderful night.

How did you celebrate the 4th of July?

Summertime+Family+Friends = Sleepovers and Fun

My children are blessed with such a wonderful and humorous father. As soon as he got home from work, we ate dinner, and then he took the kids outside for some pyramid building. Then we all played four square and went to Golden Spoon. While at Golden Spoon, Hubby asked me to smell his yogurt. (do you know where this is going...well I didn't) So naturally, I smelled it for him...and then he smashed it into my nose! The kids laughed so hard...and I had to admit, it was very funny! So then the kids asked Hubby to do it to them...and well we were all a mess!

I love my husband...I love how fun he is and how much he loves us! He is such a wonderful husband and father.

Hubby: I love you honey.

Me: I love you more!

Hubby: Not possible!

Oh, I love when he says that! Why is it so satisfying to me to know that he loves me more than I love him? I guess because I love him with all my heart and soul...how could he love me more? But he does! :)

Tuesday Night at the beach

Monday Night - Angels Game...Photos by Tiger!