Blizzard 2011

I guess people had a right to be Running Scared because we were definitely hit with a lot of snow.

 

Yes those are cars under the snow!

Dan woke up early so that he could attempt to make it into work. Yeah right!

By 9:30 this morning he had the driveway and sidewalk completely cleared.

Our neighbor didn’t even attempt to clear the driveway!

I am pretty sure we were the envy of the neighborhood.

About an hour later the snow plow came through and cleared the street … as best as he could.

So we decided to take a walk and check out the rest of the subdivision.

Snow was everywhere but Jacob was convinced this was the best day of his life.

Before we even left the yard he was already climbing in the snow.

He was having a blast until he saw the snow hill in the cul-de-sac.  He just started running. By the time I caught up with him … this is what I saw …

Dan thought it looked like fun so he joined in too!

We continued on our journey around the block. I stayed in the street but Jacob decided to walk the snow instead. But he fell …

He loved every second of it!

Seriously … loved it!!

We almost got back to the house when Jacob realized he could touch the street signs.

And when we got back to the house Jacob decided street sledding was a great idea.

It did look like fun but then he tuckered himself out.

Doesn’t he look so sweet?? Peaceful even. And if you knew Jacob peaceful is not something he does often.

We talked to the neighbors, the snow plow driver, and the back hoe driver.

We kept the fire roaring all day long.

Princess Fiona loves the fireplace and won’t leave while it is going.

We drank mugs and mugs of tea and hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course).

Finally we settled down with our plates of Pepper Steak (YUM! I will have to share the recipe) and watched American Idol.

We are loving this season! Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson are hilarious together.

So that is how we spent the day during the Blizzard of 2011.

School is cancelled for Jacob and I again tomorrow. Poor Dan has to go to work. I think I am going to make English muffin bread and Lemon Chicken Pasta with asparagus.

I also want to create a Valentine’s Day craft with Jacob. Maybe we will hit the craft store tomorrow.

I love snow days!

Make Like a Tree but Please Don’t Leave

When Dan and I first began dating we set down ground rules. Since I was in a serious relationship with Jacob’s dad and he had divorced his wife a few years earlier we both knew what we didn’t like when it came to disagreements and fights.

Dan’s rules are …

1) No name calling.

2) Don’t follow me around the house.

From what he has told me his ex-wife used to call him every name in the book and would follow him around the house continuing the fight.

I put those rules in my head and heart promising never to break them.

My rule was …

1) Do not leave the house or I will change the locks on the doors.

I have had too many men leave when things get tough so for me it brings up a lot of issues when that happens.

I guess I am fearful that when a man leaves he doesn’t come back and in turn my life forever changes.

My dad left us twelve years ago.

Ryan left me 7 1/2 years ago.

Both times I was left broken hearted in a life not of my choosing.

Do you have rules in your relationship? I would love to hear them.

 

I cannot believe it is already Sunday night!

Wow! This weekend really flew by with my getting very little accomplished. 

I did spend an amazing Friday night with my college girlfriends. We had a glass of wine (Pinot Grigio – my favorite!), snacked on some yummy treats, gobbled up slices of pizza, and chatted until the wee hours of the morning.

I don’t think I have laughed that hard in so very long! It is so nice to be able to discuss school, professors, pre-clinicals/student teaching, and students with those who truly get it.

On Saturday, I slept in.

Truth be told I like being awake before the boys get up but this didn’t happen on Saturday. So from the second I was awake I was being beckoned to get drinks and breakfast. Two cinnamon rolls and a glass of apple juice later I sat down in front of the TV.

And there I sat all day. I watched movie after movie until I felt I should get up and be some what productive. So I got up and made dinner for my  family.

Dan went out to run some errands. To be honest I think he needed some space from the giggly twins (Jacob and Christian). Those two can be such a handful sometimes.

But when he came back he had a present for me!! I love that man! I honestly couldn’t ask for more in a person.

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Project; Look what you can make with one yard of fabric! By: Rebecca Yaker

I have had my eye on this book for quite some time now – well ever since I got a sewing machine from Freecycle.

This book contains 101 sewing project all using only one yard of fabric. I cannot wait to go to the store and get some fun and colorful fabrics so I can try them out.

I am pretty certain I am going to make a great big bag to hold my school books for my first project.

Today was yet another unproductive day. I woke up late again so the gigglers were already up and at ‘em. They prepared their own breakfast this morning so I settled in with a great big cup of coffee.

I didn’t go to church this morning and I already wish I had. Going to church starts my week off on the right foot and I haven’t been in a few weeks.

I did go to Johnsen & Taylor with my Mom today. I love looking around at all the wonderful Christian books, art, mugs, and trinkets. Although I am not really a trinket person. I saw so many things I would love to read and hang in my home. I did buy one book called The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner.

I cannot wait to begin reading it although with all my classwork I doubt I will be able to complete it any time soon.

While I was gone shopping Dan hung pictures up around the house. When I came home I was so happy to see things hanging from the otherwise bare walls.

As for right now, I am doing laundry and finishing up some school work. Hopefully, I will have time tomorrow afternoon to finish the rest of it.

So that was my super unproductive weekend.

What did you get done (or not) this weekend?

The Great Drive of 2009

Well ... I am officially home, unpacked, and clothes cleaned. The house is still kind of a disaster but I am working on it. Since we left at 9 p.m. within 2 hours both of the boys looked like this.
Ha Ha Do you think they will not appreciate the fact that I posted these pictures when they get older? The drive was super long but they did awesome. (Both going there and coming home.)

The boys loved swimming in the hotel pool. Jacob strengthened his swimming skills and Christian learned to swim without floaties. I am so proud of both of them.

The only problem with them loving the swimming pool as much as the did was that the sunscreen didn't stay on their skin. We all got very red.

Jacob was calling us the red family. (FYI- we are all pealing and I don't like it one bit. It grosses me out.)

The night before the wedding Brandon and Kim had a beautiful rehearsal dinner for everyone.

This is Brandon and Kim ... aren't they the cutest?


This is my whole family. (From left to right and top to bottom: Me, Mom, Dan, Mark, Michael, Vicky, Jacob, Christian, and Matthew)

Brandon and Kim had the cutest rehearsal dinner cake. Since Brandon is a pilot this cake was specifically designed with him in mind.


Brandon and Kim's wedding took place on top of Bogus Basin. It was so beautiful there. The sunset was killer.







Brandon and Kim had such a beautiful wedding.



This is Landon and the flower girls. He is such a cutie and he loves Jacob. He gives me kisses when I drop of Jacob and head off to work.

This is Landon's mom, Tanya. She is just so beautiful. Tanya and I are only a year apart and we basically grew up together. I am so thankful to have her be apart of my family.

This is my Aunt Tammie and Uncle Brian. (Brandon's mom and dad)

Here is Brandon (the groom), Andrew (my cousin and best man), Michael (my brother), and Mark (my brother). They are all very close. We are so lucky to have grown up together.

The bride and groom. Isn't this a beautiful view?



This is Dan and me. Dan was such a trooper the whole trip. He drove the most, took care of the boys while I was at the bridal shower, and made sure we had great lunches and dinners.
Boy do I love him.

How did you like that for a post with pictures? What did you guys do this past week?

Brandon & Kim are Married!

What an exhausting week this has been. We have driven a long way to be a part of Brandon and Kim's wedding. They did not disappoint. The atmosphere and surroundings were stunning. I swear I could see heaven from as high up as we were. I will definitely post pictures when I get home. The sunrise was spectacular. We are leaving in a couple hours to drive home. Please pray for us to have safe travels. Specifically pray for Dan since I am not much help in the driving department. I can only drive about 4 hours at a time. I am going to take a dip in the pool now. I will catch you all up with the festivities tomorrow night.

PS- we are all sun burnt. Jacob has been calling us the red family.

We are here!

After 24 hours in the car with Dan, Mark (my brother), Jacob, Christian, and myself ... we are finally here! Both little boys are sleeping. Dan, Mark, and myself have showered and are now enjoying an ice cold beer and pizza. Thank you for your prayers. They helped us through some terrible rain in Iowa and Nebraska. I am so tired. I will update more tomorrow.

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.