Check Check Check

So ... as much pressure as I was putting on this weekend ... it has already paid off.

Dan and I went to the Wheaton French Market this morning. We didn't buy anything but it was fun to walk around and talk to very interesting people. (FYI~ We talked to a woman who has a masters degree in herbalist medicine. She strongly recommends a colon cleanse once a year. 3 pills 3 times a day. Going to the bathroom every 6 hours. Losing a clothing size in 15 days ... I am definitely considering it)

Then we stopped at Starbucks and enjoyed my new favorite drink a .... Venti Passion Iced Tea Lemonade Sweetened.

We grabbed a quick lunch at McDonalds (super healthy I know) while we were driving to the mall. We shopped at Von Maur for about an hour. I bought a purse, jeans, a tank, and two shirts. Thank you my lovely family for my gift certificates for my birthday.

After taking a nap at my house, we went to Kona Grill for dinner. I know I said that I was going to get the filet but I opted for Basil Pesto Linguini with chicken. Super duper delicious. Yum. But for an appetizer we got avacado egg rolls and for dessert we shared a Passion Fruit creme brulee. Everything was super good. Also, I know I wanted a glass of Pinot grigio but I changed my mind and had a Mojito instead.

After dinner we watched the movie Dan in Real Life. We both enjoyed the movie and laughed out loud on a few occasions.

Lastly, this morning I started reading From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife by Marla Toviano. I have tons to say on this book so as soon as I finish you can count on a book review.

Cleaning can wait until tomorrow.

I am enjoying my weekend. Are you enjoying yours? Are you accomplishing everything you thought you would?

Kid-Less

Dan and I are going to be kid-less this weekend. And boy do we deserve it. See I get Jacob during the week and every other weekend. Dan gets Christian every weekend. So normally we have atleast one child at all times.

So ... since we are kid-less ... I have a whole slew of ideas of what we can do together.

First of all, my wonderful cousin Tanya and her husband, Jeffrey, got Dan and I a gift certificate to Kona Grille for Christmas. Since we normally have a child in tow we haven't gone but I am planning on us going Saturday night for a relaxing child free dinner. I scoped out their menu online and I think I already know what I am going to eat. The Kona 5 oz filet with skin on cheddar mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and sauteed mushrooms. Doesn't that sound delightful?

Kid-less

Then ... I want to go to the Wheaton French Market. Wheaton holds a farmer's market of sorts every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They have flowers, produce, jewerly, and crafts. I guess I find it difficult to find things to do outside when kids are not around. I live in a condo so I don't have a yard to tend to or any other outside responsibilities. I thought this would be nice for Dan and I to walk around and enjoy being outside ... just the two of us.

Kid-less

Then ... I want to go get a pedicure, go shopping at Von Maur, stop at Starbucks, and take clothes to be mended to the dry cleaners.

Kid-less

And then ... I want to drink a glass of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio in silence. I want to read a book that doesn't rhyme. I want to clean the house once and have it stay clean. I want to watch a movie that has real people in it and are not cartoon characters. I want to not hear about John Cena, Ray Mysterio, and Undertaker and all the moves that they do. Oh yes, Jacob and Christian and huge WWE Wrestling fans.

Kid-less

For this weekend I won't be wiping tears or butts. I won't be explaining why potty talk is unacceptable at teh dinner table. I won't be yelling at them to eat their food, clean their room, put away their toys.

Kid-less

Ok, so I may be a little over dramatic! I will definitly miss Jacob and Christian but since I know the 24 hour drive to Idaho will be in less than two weeks I need to prepare myself mentally for the "are we there yets" and "I have to pee" statements.

This weekend should be heavenly! I am not putting too much pressure on this weekend ... am I?

What are your plans for this weekend?

Boys will be boys!

Dan and I took the boys to The Arboretum last weekend. It was a hot day and the boys loved playing in the rock river. It was a great way for them to cool off and they had a blast doing it.


Here is my handsome boyfriend. He wasn't paying attention to me so I snapped his picture. He loved being outside too. Grown up boys are still boys!
Here the boys are moving rocks to stop the water from flowing. They had a blast but they never really figured out how to stop it. It was funny watching them play. By the time they got out of the water they were soaked but cooled off.
Jacob wanted me to stop taking his picture. I guess I was interrupting his fun!


How cute are these boys? I am a lucky girl. I have a beautiful son and Dan brought Christian (what a cutie) into my life as well. I have all that I could ever want.

Here they are hanging from the tree top ropes. They have this whole Swiss Family Robinson tree thing at the Arboretum. They boys ran through it at least a dozen times.

I love when we have amazing days like this. Jacob and Christian would play video games all day if we let them. So getting them outside and not having them complain once is a feat in itself.

On a side note .... Before I met Dan I always said (to anyone who would listen) I would never date a guy who was divorced or had a child. I thought it would be too complicated since I have a baby daddy and a son myself. Then two years after Dan and I started working together, he took me out and we have been together ever since. God works in mysterious ways. He brought Dan and Christian into my life and I couldn't be more thankful.

Kenny Chesney Concert

As you know, my super great friends bought me Kenny Chesney tickets for my birthday. We had an amazing night. Also, not only did Kenny Chesney perform, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, and Lady Antebellum also performed! Oh yes they did. Actually, we missed Lady Antebellum but we saw everyone else.


This was after everyone had already performed. Then all of a sudden I went and got french fries and a Coors Light and this curtain was up.
This curtain made the anticipation unbearable.
But when Kenny came on stage we went NUTS! Kenny sang the song There Goes My Life and I cried through the whole song.Not the ugly cry but embarrassing enough.
Donna "found" this hat. She then wore it all night long. I think she rocked this hat!
Kenny was awesome and I have the best girlfriends ever! Thank you Jenifer, Donna, and Dana for celebrating my birthday with me and thank you for giving me Kenny (tickets).

A girl can dream can't she?!

Repost: The love of a (the) Father

This is a repost. I posted this when I first started blogging in January and when no one was following me. I figured this was a good time to repost since Father's Day is on Sunday.


As many of you know, my father hasn't been an actual part of my life for over 10 years. He was an amazing father. He used to make us breakfast on Saturday mornings and he used to bring us to church on Sundays. He coached baseball and soccer for me and my brothers. He ran along side me at Cross Country meets to keep me motivated. He devoted his life to his children. Let it be said that I miss him. I miss him most this time of year. This is the time of year he left.

Maybe some of you do not know your fathers. Maybe your father has passed away. Maybe your father is around but not a real part of your life. Maybe your father doesn't know you at all.

Until recently, I have been in constant grief over the father that I have lost. I mourned the things that he should be experiencing along side me. I mourned the things that he should have said to me or helped me with. I mourned the things I new I would experience in the future that he wouldn't be apart of. I cursed God for taking that man away from me. I cursed God for allowing him to make the choices he did. I cursed God for breaking my heart.

In my very first post I told you that I have started going back to church. Let me tell you this has been very therapeutic for me. On Sundays, I pray for my father. I pray that he makes the defining choice to change his life. I pray that he "sees the light" and returns to a life with his family. I pray that the man I once knew is given back to me. On a recent Sunday while I was praying the same prayers I started to hear the song I love you this much by Jimmy Wayne. It is a song about a little boy who's father isn't around and yet he still loves him. And that little boy wonders if his dad loves him back. Anyway, at the end of the song the boy is all grown up and he is at church and ...

He looks up above the preacher
And sadly stared at Him

He said 'forgive me father'
When he realized
That he hadn't been unloved
Or alone all his life
His arms were stretched out
As far as they go
Nailed to the cross
For the whole world to know

I love you this much
And I'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

And after I replayed the lyrics in my head I knew I wasn't fatherless I finally understood that I do have a Father and all he was asking for is for me to love him back. Now granted this isn't the exact Father I had wanted. I wanted a father I could see. I wanted a father I could call on the phone. But sometimes things are not how I want them and they are not supposed to be either. God wanted me to experience this heartache and he wanted me to lose my earthly father to find Him. Without the loss I couldn't ever possibly understand the love God has for me. I know he will never let me down. I know that he already knows my hearts wants before I even tell him. He knew me before I was even born. He has good things planned for me.

It took me a long time to figure this out. It hasn't been an easy road to bear either. Some days are still tough. Some days His love doesn't seem to be enough BUT I know it is. Church has taught me this. God has taught me this. And I invite you today that if you are hurting and if you feel that life has given you too many burdens to carry on your own join me and go to church. It is life changing. Give God your burdens.

Lasts

Has anyone ever seen the movie Hope Floats? If not, go rent it! It is a great movie. Actually, it is one of those movies that I can watch over and over and over again. Anyway .. the reason I am bringing that movie up on a post titled Lasts is because Birdie (Sandra Bullock) says ... beginnings are usually scary, endings are sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning.

I love that quote and this past week have remembered that quote when Jacob had a few lasts.

This past week he had his last Kindergarten soccer game.
He really really enjoyed playing soccer and is looking forward to the fall season. He made so many new friends and has asked me all week when he has another practice.

See that medal around his neck? All the kids who participated received this award. It is actually really cool looking. He must have thought so too since he has worn it everyday since he got it.

Also, he had his last day of Kindergarten. When I picked him up from my mothers house that night he proudly looked at me and declared himself a first grader.

We already have his school supplies for next year. He said he needs a new back pack because his is too small. (Fyi - it really isn't but he said it is for a kindergartener). I am not sure how long the school supplies are going to last because he wants to do art projects with them. I have hidden them so he doesn't use them!

He has come a long way from his first day of kindergarten.

What a wonderful boy he is turning into!

We are looking forward to next year because him and I both are going to experience a lot of firsts!

Very soon I will unveil what mine and Jacob's plans are for the August. It is very exciting and super scary. Well for me anyway.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday. I know I am! Tonight I will be attending the Kenny Chesney concert at Soldier Field. There will definitely be another picture post tomorrow.
Hopefully, these last pictures made you laugh. This is how Jacob was dressed when he came home from his dads house: a rock and roll long sleeve tee, striped pajama pants, and orange and navy striped socks. I had to take a picture cause that is the silliest outfits ever. Not really sure what he was thinking.

Until later.
Walk in His Strength

Tonight

I. Am. So. Tired. Tonight.

This morning at 8:45 I had a root canal. It only took about 30 minutes so I was at work before 10 a.m. My whole face with numb from my eye lid down to my chin.

I don't think that going in to work was a great idea.

My lip wouldn't really move so I think I was creeping out the customers. It looked like a jowl on a dog. Seriously, it wasn't good.

At noon I was in so much pain that I was near to tears.

I lasted at work until 4 p.m. Then I went home and took a nap.

R, picked up Jacob. So now, Jacob is with his dad for the whole weekend.

I am enjoying the peace and quiet in the house since I am still in a lot of pain.

I am hoping tomorrow I feel much better. Actually, I have to feel better. My friend Jenifer surprised me with tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert tomorrow. (for my birthday) I am super excited.

I know I haven't done a post with pictures in awhile so .... maybe ... if you check back tomorrow there will be one.

I am going to continue relaxing and taking obscene amounts of Advil.

Good night! Until tomorrow!

Road Trip

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying a nice start to there week.

As the title indicates, in July I will be going on a road trip. An unexpected road trip to be exact. See I knew I needed to be in Idaho July 11th because my cousin Brandon and his beautiful fiance, Kim, will be getting married. What I didn't know was that the cost of airfare for me, Jacob, my boyfriend Dan, and his son Christian would equal a new living room set.

Since times are tough and finances are dwindling we decided last night to drive the 23 hour and 24 minute drive to Idaho instead of flying to save some cash. We also then wouldn't have to rent a vehicle when we got there.

I know I should be excited about saving this much dough but I am scared. Two 6 year old boys in the car for close to 24 hours doesn't not sound pleasant for the most patient of people. (FYI - I am not patient. At. All.)

We did figure that if we leave at 7 pm the boys would sleep for half of the car ride but what are we going to do for the remaining 12 hour journey?

We figured we would bring our laptops so the boys could watch movies. I will stop by our local Wal-Mart and buy some very inexpensive coloring books and small toys for them to play with as a treat as well. But seriously, after the coloring, movies, and toys we will still have about 10 hours left.

I am nervous and excited. I am scared about all the whining. How many times could they possibly say, "are we there yet?" or "when are we going to be there?" or "what does 12 more hours mean?".

When I drop Jacob off at my mom's house in the morning the 12 minute car ride at least evokes 2 or 3 "are we there yets?" I don't know if I am emotionally ready for this.

Does anyone have any good ideas on how to survive road trips? What would you bring to keep two 6 year old boys occupied? Anyone want to pray for me so that I don't loose all my marbles on this trip?

Thank You

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I really appreciated all your comments on my Other People's Kids post. What a difficult situation to be in. Being the assistant coach I really want to make sure every child enjoys playing soccer. I want the children to encourage each other and I want them to look forward to practicing and playing in the games. One child can ruin things for everyone. If this situation happens again I think I am a little better prepared to handle it. I guess I was just in shock with his behavior. So thank you again for supporting me.

Since all this happened I have been thinking about my role as Jacob's mother and what God wants me to teach him. The Bible has one main thing about what a child needs to do and that is to obey your parents.

As adults the Bible tells us many things to do and not to do but for children it only gives them one thing! One thing! Obviously, God wants us to teach them how to obey. From what I understand God wants us (the parents) to teach them (the children) to obey so that when they grow up into adults they will obey God.

This has definitely given me something to think about.

I know I can be lackadaisical regarding discipline but now I know how important it is. Jacob's job is to obey me because I obey the Lord and one day he will need to obey God too! (Does that make sense?)

Ephesians 6

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Colossians 3

²⁰Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Psalm 119

⁹ How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.

Proverbs 1

⁸ My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
⁹ What you learn from them will crown you with grace
and be a chain of honor around your neck.

I know these verses will remind me that giving in to Jacob now might be easier in the moment but later on in life he will be grateful that I taught him to obey.

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Today I did NOT turn 28 years old.

Jacob did NOT wish me a Happy Birthday and then did NOT immediately tell me that I am now and old lady.

When I asked him how old he thought I was he wouldn't dare tell me that he thought I was 88 years old. NOT my son.

My mom and my boyfriend did NOT throw me an amazing birthday party tonight. Dan did NOT get me my favorite chocolate covered strawberries. My family did NOT spoil me with gift cards, beautiful cards, and yummy lip glosses. My family is NOT the best!

Earlier this past week Jacob did NOT eat a tortilla chip with habenero sauce on it for $10. He is NOT asking me for money every time he eats something now.

I did NOT close the car door on my hip this week and I did NOT give myself a huge bruise.

Well ... thats all I got this week. Come back next week to see what crazy things happened.
FYI -- I do feel better now that I aired my dirty laundry.

I hope everyone is enjoying there week.