Thank goodness for MARTINS

Well, we no longer have working internet at home anymore, so I am up here at the Martins grocery store using there free internet access. Hopefully it will be working again soon, but It's been 11 days now, with no internet, so I am not holding my breath.
Just alittle info. on how were doing.....

1. Justin and I are driving to Florida on Wednesday! Long story, can't wait!!
2. We have had a dog with us for the past 2 weeks! (so cool to be able to borrow a dog, and then give it back! Love it!)
3. We got to see two old friends this weekend! So fun! Boy I miss those guys! Good friends are hard to come by, but they last forever!
4. We are losing two awesome friends this week. We hosted a going away party for some great friends yesterday, they are moving to China for two years! Crazy! But, we are happy for them, but will miss them tons!!!
5. Upwards Basketball is over! Yeah!!
6. Spring Break is next week!!! Big YEAH!
7. Still trying to sell our van! Anyone interested????
8. Still waiting to see how our taxes turned out...
9. Still donating plasma... made over $200 last month.... (if you are interested in donating, let me know, I get a $10 bonus if I refer people!)
10. Life is pretty good, kids are so ready for spring, they were confused by the snow yesterday...
11. Did I tell ya I'm going to Florida with just my hubby!! Still can't believe it!

Crystals FOR SALE

Yes, all week my kids and the neighbor kids have been gathering 'rocks' and smashing them with hammers. Then they wash the 'rocks' and pronounce them "CRYSTALS". Our neighbor friend, Lucy (9 years old), has a book on special rocks, gems, crystals. The kids all think we will get rich by selling these crystals. So a couple days ago they set up a 'Crystal Stand' alongside the road. They actually had some customers. Their marketing slogan was "Buy 2, get 2 FREE" They cost 50 cents a piece. (All night, my 4 year old kept repeating, "Buy 2, Get 2 Free", even as she was falling asleep for the night)
I love the creativity of kids and the abundant joy they find in the little things. I made the mistake of saying something like, "there just rocks, no one will buy those" and immediately realized what my words sounded like to precious, little, hopeful minds. So I quickly said, "oh, your selling the crystals, not the rocks, oh well those are great, okay, I thought you were just selling the plain rocks."

Are you a runner? Do you want to be?

I am putting together a team to do a 5K RUN here in Granger, Indiana.

Date: Sunday May 17
Time: 9:00 am
Cost: If you join my team of 10 or more people- it is only $15.00 per person

Let me know ASAP, if you are interested.


I also plan to put a team together for the 1/2 Marathon "SunBurst" that is taking place in South Bend, near Notre Dame.
Date: Sat. June 6, 2009
Time: 8:00 am
Cost: I believe it is $45 for early registration. The SUNBURST is a much larger EVENT than the 5K in Granger, but it is also more money, but I thought doing 13 miles would be a great challenge for all of us!

Again, let me know if you want to sign-up.

I need real commitments with registration info and dollars by mid April, so think about it and let me know.

If you know anyone else interested, AWESOME! I am just trying to get a team together, cause it's so much more fun to do these together. With a large enough team, everyone can run at their own pace and still hopefully have a partner at their pace. If not at least we will all start together and finish at the same place. We can go out for b-fast or lunch after and make it a party!

Upwards Basketball

Upwards Basketball is coming to an end. This is the last Saturday of basketball games! The boys have really enjoyed it! I am glad they were able to do it, but, I am also glad it's almost over! Justin had fun coaching, the kids learned a lot, and got a taste of basketball. Miah was just a spectator, maybe next year she'll try-out, who knows. This is her at home after the boys games.

Please Call the Fire Dept.

What a beautiful day. I was inspired. Spent about 3 hours doing yard work, and will probably do more when Justin gets home. Had a fun experience.
We have a big yard, and we were busy in the fall, so this spring our yard needs lots of work. I started raking and bagging the leaves and twigs, by myself, it was windy. Have you ever tried to bag leaves by yourself in the wind? Doesn't work too well. So I had a great idea! When I was a kid we always burned leaves, not bag them.:)
So I raked my piles and got the matches.
Well, on windy days the smoke makes quite a scene. I was being very careful and had one very small pile going, but I could tell.... this might bother some people.
I continued working, and to my surprise up pulls a HUGE ORANGE FIRE TRUCK. Oh yes, two very nice Fireman came to inform me that due to high winds I had to put out my fire. I grabbed my hose which was near by (the kids were out washing the van), and I very quickly drenched the fire. I will now wait to bag the leaves until I have help!

New Computer!

I can't believe it! I am on my new computer. It is so cool. It is a really cool gift. Thank-you!!!!
Beautiful sun-shining day, kids are in the back-yard building something out of wood, and I am sitting watching them and on the computer at the same time. (Hold on, Miah has a saw, I'll be right back.)))))))))))))) Okay, I'm back.
Great Week, my mom is here to visit, I found out I am going to Florida in a few weeks, and I got my taxes done and mailed to my tax person.
So maybe I'll be blogging more often now that I got my very own computer! What a Great Week!!!

Mommy Interview

Here is a quiz my friend, Michelle (michellewegner.typepad.com), found on Facebook. The idea is to ask your child each question and write down the first thing they say-no cheating.

Try the quiz:

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Cameron: Do you love me?
Jalen: Please can you make your bed?
Miah: Don't push

2. What makes mom happy?

Cameron: flowers
Jalen: When we do stuff right away
Miah: Giving her flowers or a kiss


3. What makes mom sad?

Cameron: not listening to her
Jalen: when we don't do what she says
Miah: mean faces


4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Cameron:
Jalen: tickling me
Miah: giving her flowers


5. What was your mom like as a child?

Cameron:
Jalen: I didn't notice her in pictures, cause she looked different than now
Miah: me


6. How old is your mom?

Cameron: 31
Jalen: 31
Miah: 5


7. How tall is your mom?

Cameron: 31 feet
Jalen: I can't answer that one
Miah: this big


8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Cameron: play with me and Jalen and Miah
Jalen: cuddle with me
Miah: cuddle with us or play with us


9. What does your mom do when you're not around

Cameron: go shopping
Jalen: In the morning, she reads her bible
Miah: go to the store


10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Cameron: to make money
Jalen: the best smile or laugh, but I have the best laugh and the loudest!
Miah: dress ups


11. What is your mom really good at?

Cameron: cooking
Jalen: on computer
Miah: going to exercise


12. What is your mom not very good at?

Cameron: nothing except building stuff, fixing wires and cutting down trees
Jalen: building a plane
Miah: fixing umbrellas, fixing houses


13. What does your mom do for her job?

Cameron: cycling, and used to do pilates
Jalen: works at Five Star
Miah: works at Peakfast


14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Cameron: salad
Jalen: Chicken noodle soup
Miah: Chocolate milk


15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Cameron:
Jalen: because she has the best smile
Miah: giving flowers to her


17. What do you and your mom do together?

Cameron: shopping
Jalen: we cuddle a lot
Miah: cuddle together and do milk stations


18. How are you and your mom the same

Cameron: in no way
Jalen: both have hair, feet, eyes, ears and faces
Miah: ears, eyes, hands, legs, necks, fingers, hair, nose, mouth


19. How are you and your mom different?

Cameron: cause we can do different things, like I can build things and she can't.
Jalen: she's bigger and wider than me
Miah: She's bigger and I'm smaller


20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Cameron: She tells me every night
Jalen: she says it at night
Miah: always gives me kisses


21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Cameron: Disney World or Hawii
Jalen: Disney World
Miah: Mc Donalds or Dairy Queen

I interviewed each child seperately and recorded their individual responses. Some questions they didn't really understand, or they couldn't think of an answer for. #16 I took out cause all three had no idea what cartoon character I would be. Miah showed her silly side with her humorous answer to #21 and #14. (I can't remember when the last time was that I had chocolate milk or went to McDonalds) But, she'll do anything for a laugh. For the record, I dont' work at Five Star, I don't like flowers that much, I am not 5 years old, my favorite foods are not salad, soup or chocolate milk, :), I don't know what a 'milk station' is???? and I haven't been to Disney World in about 15 years, and I really didn't like it. So......... not sure where that came from?????

Queen of the Night

Once a month we have a special night, we call, "King of the Night" or "Queen of the Night". The kids love it! We rotate who's special night it is. So this month it was Miah's night. The budget is $20. And the rest is up to the Queen or King. (We of course give options, but ultimately it's up to them.) It is so fun to see them come up with ideas of what to do or where to go. It is also fun to watch them decide between options, change their mind, decide again. And to hear the siblings making their 'sales pitches' on why we should do one verses the other.
So last weekend we had a PICNIC/TEA PARTY/DANCE PARTY in the living room. Miah set it up. Blanket on the floor with all her little dishes. We had Subway sandwiches, chips and fruity slushies.
The dance portion of the night was very memerable. I videoed most of it.
So what little special things do you do with your family? I'd love to hear from you.

Planning... Preparing...Organizing

All things I like to do. All things I need to do. This is part of my 'job' as a "Homemaker". Often it doesn't get done well. It takes time. It takes energy and thought. It takes focus. I am in need of a 4 hour block of time to PLAN, PREPARE, and ORGANIZE.
How do you do it? How do you moms and homemakers out there find the time to get organized?
Currently I do a little at a time. 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there. So far it all gets done. But, would love to do a better job at it.
Any suggestions?