The post in which I just blab and whine

It's been awhile since my last post. I apologize for that. I know that if there are blogs that I follow and they just stop for awhile, I get a little peeved...(of course, if you are someone that knows that I read your blog and you are now reading this...I NEVER feel that way about YOU)

Yes, so anyway...I'm back...but, I've had a few things on my "to do" list lately...and they've been a little time consuming...let me just give you a peek into my past week:

To Do:
* go through the 292 emails in my inbox: CHECK
* take children to nightly VBS and take photos of all happenings CHECK
* fix dinner and clean house BEFORE leaving for said VBS (sometimes) CHECK
* clean sheets on beds 3 times this week due to change in visitors CHECK
* get ready to leave for AWESOME overnight for anniversary with hubby, while MIL comes to stay with kiddos (sheet change number 1) CHECK
* get ready to clean house again for Mom and Aunt to come stay for week while hubby is in California (sheet change number 2) CHECK
* purchase Snickers ice cream bars and Dove miniatures because they are on sale and proceed to stuff your face each night with them because I just can't help it CHECK
* finish photoshop invitation that I said I"d finish last week CHECK finally!
* help Little Munchkin put on her shoes CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK
* grate and use as much zucchini as I can because IT'S COMING OUT OF OUR EARS CHECK
* stop arguing and whining from very tired little girls CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH CHECK!!!
* whine a little myself because I feel a little overwhelmed CHECK
* enjoy old friends from college stay with their family of 6 (sheet change number 3) CHECK
* go retrieve Macie from wayyyy down the street after someone called to say they "found" her in a field (we kinda didn't realize she was even gone)...CHECK (Sara, if you are reading this...yes, I'm so very sorry that we lost her...we promise to do better in the future)
* put children to bed by 7pm this evening because everyone was OVER tired and Mommy needed a break CHECK!!!

Italian Stallion and I had an awesome anniversary...well, minus the cow outfits...we headed into downtown for the evening, spent the night at a beautiful hotel, then drove out to Amish country the next day to order our new hutch! It should be completed in a little under 2 months...I'll post pictures then!

Remember that I took pictures at a wedding awhile back? Well, I decided that I'd create a bunch of pages and create an album for them, as my gift. Because, you know, I don't have anything else to do but sit in front of my computer and get giggly about all the different layouts I can come up with while laundry, dishes and toys pile up around my house!!!

I found a place online that would print them in hardback covers...they came this week...and I must say: WOW! They turned out great! (no this is not a pat on my own back...) I'm just sayin' that it was really neat to see it all printed out. Hope they enjoy it!

My mom and aunt came in town once my hubby left for California for the week. We had a great time, but I found myself out shopping a lot with them and the kids in tow...there are a few more stores here that they don't have at home and we took advantage of that fact...not so much fun for the kiddos however, which caused some uprising of those natives...(thus the whining check off list)

VBS was this past week as well...much fun! Girls had fun, I took pictures, and Mom watched Little Munchkin at home...all were in bed by 9pm each night...though probably hyped up until about 10!

Once Italian Stallion got home and Mom/Aunt left...our college friends, the Kaynors, came to stay. Their little girls are the same ages as ours and their two little boys were all smiles! We ordered pizza, had a bonfire and the kiddos "camped out" in a tent in the basement.

Today is the first day since July 10th that someone hasn't been in our house with us. We're all a little whipped to say the least...and if you think I even ATTEMPTED my 30 day shred workout over the past couple days, well...let's just say...It's gonna take a bit more than 30 days for me...maybe more like 90 days...and that's if I can stay away from those ice cream treats in the freezer!

So there you have it...that's my week in a nutshell...I had a fun week, but I'm tired and a little grumpy...okay, maybe a lot grumpy...I'm sure a good night's rest will help! And maybe a Snickers bar too...

We Grow 'em BIG here!

It appears that I missed that slight, chance opening where our produce is actually the size for normal human beings...I guess I've been a bit slack on my "gardening" lately...Little Munchkin found this today:

Ahhhh...it's good to be back home on the farm! Italian Stallion and I had a great anniversary! Although, as we sat by the pool, he looked over at me, "Is something wrong?"...he asked this because I was sort of staring blankly at the water and at those around the edges..."Um, I don't quite know what to do with myself honey...I'm used to having these eyes at the back of my head and ready to jump at a split second."

Wow, did we need that break! We I talked and talked and talked...it's like all that penned up conversation that's been in my head for the past months but can't come out because someone needs apple juice RIGHT NOW and that poopy diaper ISN'T going to change itself!

Ahhh, again...he's SUCH a patient man! Anyhoo...it's good to be back home, but it was so nice to be away! I promise that I'll think up something exciting to write about here sometime soon...but right now it's after midnight and I gotta get me some shut eye! Have a great day!

How do you spend YOUR 10 year anniversary?

We dress up like cows!!!

Yes, that is my darling husband over to the left in one of those pictures. Once again, I purposefully left my camera...but someone with a cell phone graciously took the picture for us anyway!

Today I celebrate being married to my best friend for 10 years. Italian Stallion and I have discussed this many a time..that we never quite pictured our lives the way they turned out...and yet, it's because it's better than we could have ever dreamed. I know that sounds cliche'...almost like "gag me with a spoon...get over yourself!"

I know, I know...and I will be the first to tell you that it's not perfect...we still argue, and really upset at one another, at life in general...we cop attitudes and mess up like everyone else...BUT, I am so thankful that he doesn't give up on US...and I don't give up on US...

He's my number one fan...he believes in me...he inspires me...he makes me want to be the best mom I can be and I know I can do it, because HE knows I can do it...he makes it easy to be his wife...I can't imagine anything I rather be...he won't let me put him on a pedestal, rather he makes sure I know that it's God that makes and directs our family...

And...he's the kind of guy, that will dress up like a cow on a Chick Fil A day just to spend lunch with all of us...I love you sweetheart! Thank you for a wonderful 10 years...I"m so excited to spend the rest of my life with you!!! 143

Zucchini Anyone?

Yeah...soooo...our zucchini is coming in now...

It's like this every year...it just keeps growing and growing...I try so hard to get out there fast enough so that it's not like we're eating Dinosaur size vegetables, but I can't seem to time it correctly...and therefore, we're eating zucchini FORRRRREVVVVERRRRRR!!! And often the SAME one...cuz it's like the never ending squash...

On another note...remember those 200+ potatoes that we pulled...well, we needed (and I use this term loosely, because seriously, do we really NEED more things in our garden?? I think not...) Anyway, we "needed" something else to put there...

Sweetpea saw this on a trip to West Virginia one summer and we thought we'd give it a try! If you can't figure it out...they are pole beans...they're gonna grow right up those strings into a little teepee. We can't wait to see if it works!

That's about it for news around here...we got our carpets cleaned...hip hip hooray...I'm sure you are thrilled to know that tidbit of information...you can now take a deep breath and continue on with your day...

Oh, and I'm on day 8 or 9 or something like that with the whole 30 day shred...again, I use that the term "shred" lightly as well...it's not like I'm adjusting my diet or anything...heavens no...I can't give up chocolate, mocha lattes, cheese, pepsi...you might as well just cut off an arm if you're gonna forbid those things...that'd be an easy way to loose the weight though...hmmm...nevermind...

I'm doin' the exercising though...much fun I will tell you...if you like that your muscles shake uncontrollably after you finish your workout and you feel like you can't breathe for the first 10 minutes...you know, IF you like that sort of thing...

I DON'T like that sort of thing...HOWEVER, I AM liking the results...not loosing weight mind you, but definitely watching that little big, flabby pooch slowly diminish!

Okay, so that's all I've got for now...hope you have a great day!

I bit the bullet...

I bought this:

Because I like to do this:

A LOT!

And because I like to do this:

And, I guess sometimes, it's kinda, sorta, fun to do this:

In all seriousness, they are just too doggone cute and I just gotta have some way to set their little angelic faces in permanent memory!
It's a fun program...I've had 2.0 for a longgggggg time. I finally decided to switch it up because my volume of pictures is increasing every year...it's only a click of the mouse in PSE 7.0 which took me 4 or 5 steps to do with 2.0. I don't like change, it was a big move for me...but, one I hope I will continue to be happy with...

In other news...

The weekend was a blast! We ate, saw fireworks, ate some more, saw some more fireworks...went to a bounce house (absolute blast!)...went fishing

The girls got their own fishing poles and everything! Doesn't it look so peaceful...such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon? The joy of being together with our little family after such a hectic week of late nights, lots of food and people everywhere? Ahhhhhhh...breathe it in...



Yep...and then let me photograph reality:


Happy Independence Day...

Did Someone Throw up?

Every other week during the summer, we have Lifegroup. Lifegroup is basically a group of people that get together to EAT, chat, pray, get into some deep Biblical discussions and just get into each others' lives.

We happen to host our lifegroup...it's much easier for us, with little ones to "contain" them at our house...there are lots of positives for having our group meetings here...

One "negative" is the MASSIVE cleaning that must take place before hand...the bribing of young children to clean anything on this day would put criminals to shame...We start out fine, but around 5pm, after cleaning up the family room for the FIFTH time, I'm out of steam...

But that's okay...because DADDY IS COMING HOME!!! He usually walks in the door about the time I'm ready to pull ALL my hair out (and carefully sweep it away into the trash so as to NOT make yet another mess)...

Today however, he called FROM THE OFFICE at 5:30pm. I know this because I scan the caller ID religiously...and it was the office number...

"Hello Sweetheart, why are you calling from the office at 5:30?" I say in my most cheerful voice (if you are not reading sarcasm here, you must not know me well)

He went on to explain that a huge mess had come up at work and he wouldn't be home until just before everyone arrived...I felt sorry for him...I changed my tone and told him not to worry, that the girls and I would manage just fine.

When I got off the phone, Sweetpea (who can read facial expressions and body language better than anyone I know) asked me what was the matter.

I told her that Daddy had a huge mess to clean up at work and he was going to be late...

Her reply, "Did someone throw up?"

Hmmmm...I think Daddy would like to answer that question...we'll save that for him!

I'm THAT kind of friend

This my friends is a pure delight…sent from Dessert Heaven…to my doorstep…this ranks right up there with a White Chocolate Mocha Frappaccino…I have one of these after every doctor appointment and after giving birth to each of my girls…(are you getting the seriousness of this?)

So, when the Dispatch offered up this tidbit of information: To the first 100 customers at Chick-Fil-A at 6pm on Wednesday, we will give you a year’s supply of Free Milkshakes…

Well you better believe I just called up everyone of my friends and neighbors and staked out a spot with them to sit and chat and wait in line all day kept this information to myself so as to NOT be left outside the 100 customers in line…(there are ONLY 2 Chick Fil As in our area and I was NOT going to miss out on this one!)

Yeah, I’m just THAT kind of friend!

When it became evident after the domino effect of meltdowns from my 3 restless children, that I was not going to be able to stand in line and hear the angels singing as I received a coupon book of free milkshakes…I trudged to the car, loaded them in and started to drive away…trying to scrape up some semblance of grace for my girls…

But that’s when it happened…my husband knew where we were and gave me a call, “Honey, would you like me to stand in line for you?” Are you kidding me? My knight in shining armor, my Milkshake Totin’ King? Baby, I’m gonna love you forev-ah!!!

It was at this point, after he informed me that he was number 71 in line, that I felt comfortable calling just a few people…I mean, it was only 5:45pm…they might still have a chance at this point right?

Yeah, well…My tactful husband told me this morning that he thinks Mercy divorced me awhile ago…she’s out for the kill people! It’s sad, I know…I will try to work on it…I promise…

As I sip on my Chocolate Oreo Cookie Milkshake from Chick Fil A for THIS ENTIRE YEAR!!!! YEAH BABY!!!