Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Look Who's Six

When your birthday is December 27th it sort of sneaks up on you. Never to be pushed aside because of it's proximity to Christmas we celebrated our girl in a big way on her special day. First was gift opening with Papa and Grandma Feske, then pancakes with sprinkles at Perkins, and then the best part of the day - playing at Tropics waterpark at the Shoreview Community Center.
I can't tell you how PROUD I am of Cecelia. She is a good listener, an outstanding helper, and just an overall wonderful kid. She does what she's told, she doesn't talk back, and she is almost always well mannered and well behaved. What more could a Mom ask for??

Happy Birthday big kid!

(and for more pictures, click here)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Speaking of Christmas Cards

I was serious in that last post, in case you were wondering. I really am not sending out cards this year. It's for no other reason than the fact that I just plain ran out of time. Oh well. There's always next year.

I was over hearing a conversation today about people who send out Christmas letters and if the recipient really cares about them. I personally do not send out a letter, but I love getting them. I totally understand why people do it. It's a good way to let loved ones know what's going on in your life when you don't really have the time to update them throughout the year.
I guess the only thing that bugs me (and it really bugs me) is when there are typos or poor grammer or wierd wording. Now, I get that I probably have quite a few issues with this blog - but I'm also not sending it out to over 100 people to read and I write in it all the time. If you're going to send out one letter all year - please have someone proof read it. Just saying.
Another thing that bugs people is when the letter is a brag fest about their life. For example: "and little Johnny is the smartest kid on the planet - we're so proud!"
Like I said, I love getting the letters and I don't really look in to them too much in that way.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Monday, December 14, 2009

My Christmas Card











What you're looking at is my 2009 Christmas card.
I'm sorry.
We took the girls to see the 8th floor at Macy's on Saturday. It didn't take as long as we thought it would so we walked almost every skyway there is downtown. We went through the Target Center, looked at the new Twins stadium (that's Bill's company is building) and ended up at Block E at Gameworks.
The girls LOVED the 8th floor - even though it was the same as last year (lame, Macy's, totally lame) and, of course, were very excited to see Santa and give their requests.
We ate at the Oak Grill with my aunt, uncle and cousins and had our annual popovers and holiday cocktail with dinner. It's a tradition.
Hope you all had a fun weekend too!




Saturday, December 12, 2009

I Hate the Cold

I hate the cold, I hate the cold, I hate the cold, I hate the cold, I hate the cold.

I will, somehow, get through this winter, but if it's my last MN winter you won't hear me complain.

I hate the cold.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Pretty Blog

I tried as much as I could do decorate my blog - and this is as far as free would get me.

Guess who's in the picture in the header?

Who's in my belly?

Friday, December 4, 2009

Can't We All Get Along?


Oh sure, they look like friends here, but I assure you that the love is fleeting. I swear I do not remember fighting with my brother the way Cecelia and Delaney fight with eachother. It is pretty much non-stop. Most the time Cecelia is trying to help and Delaney is freaking out about it. Cecelia doesn't know when to leave well enough alone - and Delaney hits her. Or, Delaney is bugging Cecelia and Cecelia asks her to stop and then she doesn't and then Cecelia hits her.
And the best part is when I go to reprimand one child I have to talk through the defense that it was her sister's fault. I am so sick of them fighting.
Where is Laila through all of this, you ask? Oh, just climbing to the top bunk of Cecelia's bed, or climbing on the chairs to get to the top of the kitchen table, or standing on the top of the dollhouse or standing in the kid's plastic shopping cart. Basically, making her best attempt to end her life as we know it.
What's the deal, man?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Giving Thanks

I don't ever want to give the message that my children are an inconvenience to me. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have them to care for. They are my life.

People always say that they'd die for their children. The more important question is are you living for them.

To my 3 beautiful, smart and funny girls:
I love you.
I love you more.
I love you to the moon and back.
I love you to infinity.
You are my everything.

Love,
Mom

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Re-Acclimating




It's funny how being gone for as little as two nights can create such a shift in the house. Children are such creatures of habit and structure that it makes it hard to even want to go away sometimes.
It's hard for me too because every day I'm home there is a string of usual to-do's like picking up all the rooms, going through the mail, organizing school stuff, checking voicemails, returning phone calls, laundry, dishes, etc, etc. And even though everything looks pretty much exactly the same from day to day there's actually quite a bit that goes on that's under the radar.
And even though Bill does a great job of keeping things as orderly as possible, there's still an extra amount of organizing once I get home.
I wish I could snap my fingers and all this stuff would be done for me so I could spend more time just hanging out with my kids.
I feel like it's such a struggle to balance quality time - or being present as I like to say - with "getting stuff done." I mean, someone has to keep things in some semblance of order.
The kids don't get it either. I'm trying to hurry up and do 50 million things so that we can do something fun together and 3 little people are constantly under foot asking for help with this and how do you spell that and can I put this on and crying because the big toy doesn't fit in the little toy and I need a wipe and is it snack time and I'm thirsty and she's hitting me and that's not her's it's mine and on and on and on.......
All I need is a block of time with no interruption and things would go so much faster!
One thing that helps is the fact that the girls totally crack me up during the day. Cecelia is now old enough to have a sense of humor that is actually funny. Delaney simply never stops talking and it's just funny to hear her ramble on and on about this or that. Laila will come up and just shove her head in to me and hang on to my leg as I try and walk around.
I really do think that they're the ones who keep me on track and balance out the work and the play.
The day to day grind can get tough, but then I get a little break, come home, re-acclimate and try and focus on how amazing my kids are.


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Chicago

Come on babe why don't we paint the town
and all that jazz
I'm gonna rouge my knees
and roll my stockings down
and all that jazz
Start the car I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
but the piano's hot!
It's justy a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that jazz
(From Chicago)

To see pictures, click here.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Lyrics

Save me from this prison
Lord help me get away
Cause only you can save me now
From this misery
Cause I've been lost in my own place
And I'm getting' weary
How far is heaven
And I know I need to change
My ways of livin'
How far is heaven, Lord can you tell me
(Heaven, Los Lonely Boys)
Every time I hear this song I have to turn it up, but I've never really listened to all the lyrics until today. I thought this was good for a Sunday and a strange week.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Gravity

Can someone please tell me why I decided to take a look at the backside after getting out of the shower today?
Oh, the horror!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

As Requested

Okay, okay, here's another post:

A few things to update so here we go.
Bill and I got to have a birthday dinner, alone (as in just the two of us) at my favorite super fancy restuarant....Red Lobster :-) My generous cousin - Miss Clare - informed me the week prior that she would be watching my girls that night so Bill and I could go out. I almost cried.
We had a really good time and so did the girls.
Saturday Bill went golfing with his buddies and came home with an interesting little tid bit. You see, at the 11th hole they came across a miniture horse. Yes, I said miniature horse. So, his two buddies head for the golf cart while my clever husband calls the pony over. And then gets on it. Not kidding. The pony bit him in the ankle as Bill was trying to ride it.
I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see a picture of it later that night on Bulldog's phone.
So funny!
Saturday night my little cousin came over to spend the night so Bill and I could head out to meet up with Ronnie to celebrate his 30th birthday - and then to meet up with Bulldog to celebrate OUR recent birthdays. Whew, lots of birthdays.
I had so much fun getting out with my hub two nights in a row!

On Sunday I went to work my usual afternoon shift at the restaurant only to find out that next weekend I am not scheduled to work at all - but that my shifts were given to a new hire. And no one told me.
I called the owner's daughter to ask what was going on and to see if, in fact, I have been replaced and she gave me the run around. Apparently, she need to talk to the owner (her father) to get the information I need.
Basically the writing is on the wall (for a reason completely unknown to me), which means that I am basically "officially" unemployed.
I kind of have that worthless feeling.

BUT, today is a new day and I am hunting down jobs likeit'smyjob.
Wish me luck.

There's your update :-)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

My 34th Birthday





Well, only Cecelia and I got to go see my brother and his family in Moorhead over the weekend.
HOWEVER, we are all healthy as of yesterday and I couldn't have asked for a better gift than that!
Also, the sun was shining bright again so our spirits were seriously uplifted.
I arrived home on Sunday to spend about an hour with Bill and the girls before heading off to work. When I opened the door I could smell the sweet, sweet scent of pinesol coming from my kitchen. The floors had been vacuumed and all the dishes were sitting clean by the kitchen sink.
But....the best part......
is that Bill had cleaned my kitchen light!!
This may seem like a strange act of kindness but there is a story behind the light.
I hate it. That's the story.
At any rate, I told Bill about a week ago when I looked at that old, ugly great-great grandma-ish light and how dirty it was (again) that "so help me I am going to buy another light before I clean that stupid thing again."
I came home to a clean light.
So yesterday, on my actual birthday, we got Cecelia off to school and the little girls and I had a dance party listening to the Bee-Gee's, Micheal Jackson, MC Hammer, Joan Jett - I am telling you, the music station knew it was my birthday.
My friend Jen came over with pizza for lunch and we took the kids for a quick walk in the torrential wind storm.
ALL 3 girls took a long afternoon nap.
We ate chinese and watched Ice Age 3
And as a super, duper grand prize Bill gave me a digital camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only does he not really read this blog so didn't know that I posted on the subject recently, but, I also asked for socks.
Thanks everybody for all the phone calls and happy birthday singing and cards and gifts and love. So far, I like 34.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Plague

I am starting to feel like this stupid flu is turning in the plague. It's like everyone I talk to is dealing with it at some capacity.
I feel too bad for my kids to take their pictures, but let me tell you, it isn't pretty.

Laila seems to have her days and nights confused (I mean, does being sick turn you in to a newborn??). She slept from 10:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. yesterday and went to bed at 8:00 - only to be up most of the night. She then proceeded to sleep until noon and then went back down for a nap at 2:00!
Delaney has also been in bed all.day. She also hasn't eaten in two days. I can't force her to eat, but it worries me to no end that she won't eat anything.
Cecelia - thank the heavens - is the only one who seems to be feeling better. I think she'll be able to go to school tomorrow.

We are supposed to head to Moorhead tomorrow night but unless by some miracle everyone is symptom free by tonight - we may have to either wait until Friday or I will have to go alone.

This is not good.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

It Turns Out Knocking on Wood Doesn't Always Work

Turns out the fever my kids have is the flu.

Cecelia got sent to the nurse's office today and was sent home.
(Mother of the Year goes to me for sending her)

Laila fell out of her crib this morning on top of being sick.

Delaney has gone from her bed, to the couch, to the other couch, to my bed.

What a wonderful way to spend a gorgeous warm and sunny fall day.

Friday, October 23, 2009

On Being Sick

Obviously I would prefer if my children NEVER got sick, and for right now it's not a concern (knocking on wood). But in some ways it's almost easier to take care of a sick child than to take care of healthy children when it's me who's battling a little something.
Headache, body ache, chills, and extreme fatigue along with complete lack of motivation.
This week has sucked because I don't feel well.
Every little thing feels like climbing Mt. Everest. Making lunch, changing a diaper, bringing the kids to school, carrying Laila (who feels like she weighs 5,000 lbs). I hate feeling this way.
On weeks like this they really would be better off at a daycare or something with other kids and someone who's got the energy to do the day to day stuff and maybe some fun activities as well.
My poor kids are stuck here with me.
Although, I did explain to Cecelia (who's off from school today) that when I was a kid I had to entertain myself - gasp! And that I didn't have an entire basement filled with toys or two little sisters. I had my room, a couple of barbies, my brothers (who had no interest in playing barbies with me) and my imagination. Surprisingly, she actually sat and let it soak in and found something to do (color).
Sometimes being such a GO GO GO kind of Mom isn't always the best. Maybe this week has taught me that my kids certainly have the capability to find fun things to do at home, all on their own.
I still wish I felt better, though.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

I Need a Camera

I feel that my blog posts are so much more interesting when they include pictures. However, the only camera I have is the one on the camcorder. Since it is rather large, it usually isn't sitting anywhere convenient enough to grab. So, I don't get as many pictures as I did when I had a regular ol' camera.

We have been keeping busy with mostly school and work and a couple of fun things thrown in there here and there (kid birthday parties, painting pumpkins with friends, etc).

I did receive some good news recently and that is that my Dad is flying my brother Jimmy, Megan and sweet Emma in over Halloween weekend! SO, the plan is to trick or treat in Fargo! Crazy!

We've got a couple of weeks until then uncluding an MEA week this week. Hopefully I can get some pictures taken to share with you all.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Memo Recorder

That's what I should carry around with me during the day when I have a "blog thought."

Like today Delaney said something so, well, Delaney. But, as usual, now I can't remember what it was.
She says these dryly funny remarks all the time.

Like the other day when we were eating dinner and Cecelia held up a french fry and said "Look at how big this one is!" and Delaney goes "I don't want to talk about it."

I can't tell you why it's funny when she says it, but it just is.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Speaking of my Bill

(Bill Heer, Bryant Cooper, Zach Clark)

So he turns 33 on Saturday and runs his first marathon on Sunday.
What's not amazing about that???

I'm so proud of my hubby.

Monday, September 28, 2009

10 Years

In September of 1999 Bill and I had our first date - in my apartment.

Don't get me wrong, he had asked me to go out for dinner, but I offered to cook instead.

He was so sweet - he dressed up and brought a bottle of wine - and he was only 22!

The picture above it actually us with Cecelia at my Mom and Rick's boat which is about half way through our journey so far.

I really can't believe how fast time goes. Back then I couldn't have imagined being with someone for ten years!

I'm so excited about this milestone and where we have come to.

Love you Bill.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

If They Only Knew

I wish that people that don't have kids knew that when they say (in the presense of your children, usually) "Uh! I am SO glad I don't have kids!" - or something to that effect - that it basically is saying "Your kids are so crazy and annoying and/or so much work I can hardly stand it."

It didn't use to bug me, but it has always bugged Bill. I guess now that I've heard it so many times from different people IT is starting to get annoying.

If they only knew.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Laney's 1st Day of 3-Year-Old Preschool




She is SO happy she gets to go to school like her big sister! She's only had 1 full day so far (where I dropped her off and came back), but so far so good!

Her class is so cute because they just seem so little, but I know she'll really enjoy the school year and make some new friends of her very own.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

September 19th 2009

Yes, September 19th and we were swimming in the pool!!

We are getting our July in September.

I LOVE it.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Growing Up Too Fast

This sweet little bundle didn't let me rock her for her nap just now. I laid the blanket on my chest like I normally do, sat in the rocker and then she grunted at me and reached for her crib.
She didn't want to be rocked by Mommy. She just wanted to go to sleep on her own.
How is this happening??
All of my babies are changing so much right now. Cecelia in kindergarten and Delaney started preschool (I will upload and post those adorable pictures soon) and now my BABY doesn't want me to rock her before nap?
This is why I have children so close in age - because once they get to be around that 1-1 1/2 age I get that scary "I don't have a baby" feeling.

I am really looking forward to all the girls getting older and being able to do more things as a family (camp, dinner, movies, plays, museums, vacations, game nights, etc, etc.). It's just so hard for me to let go of the baby phase.
Luckily, most days I am still very much needed by all. Everyone needs a cuddle at one point in the day. I'm still kissing boo-boos and making things better. And Laila is still a "baby" in many respects.
Isn't she a darling?

Friday, September 11, 2009

Holy Funny

You'll be laughing at this. Trust me.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Cecelia's First Day of Kindergarten





There's my big girl with her Hannah Montana backpack!
I cried.
She had so much fun!
(We ran in to a glitch with the afternoon bus, it took the wrong street and missed our house. Let's just say she got the "scenic" ride home and I was guilty and LIVID!)
To focus on the positive, I was glad she had a good first day. I love her teacher and her school and there are even a couple familiar faces from preschool.
We also met with Delaney's preschool teachers. I am a little worried that she may be emotionally immature yet, but she is really looking forward to it so I'm going to see how it goes.
Last week we took the whole week to play before school started. We played at Clare's, we went to the State Fair, we went to the beach and Minnehaha falls.
Nothing got done around the house, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Here's to a whole new world.


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Do You Know?

Do you know how much we miss you?

Do you know my girls do remember you?

Do you know this year feels like an instant?

Do you know how much I love you?

Do you know how many times I think about you in a day, week, month, year?

Do you know I still go to call you for advice?

Do you know we tell funny stories about you every time we are together?

Do you know how much I learned from you that I hold on to?

Do you know your absense leaves a gaping hole?

Do you know sometimes I think I see you or hear your voice?

I wish I knew where you were and what you see and hear and know.
I wish our hearts would heal faster.
I wish you were here.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Happy Days Are Here Again

Thanks, everybody, for letting me be a whiney baby last week. I so needed that!

The weekend was well worth the hassle.
The girls had a really good time at Nanny and Papa's.
Bill and I had a really, really, really good time camping and canoeing with all our rowdy and fun friends! (Bill doesn't even remember the 5 jagermeister shots).

Last week was my last week of daycare and I think the stress of realizing I will have no weekly income was affecting every aspect of my life.
This week I am going to try and find something to compensate that income. Wish me luck!

For this week:
Good weather predicted.
Visit Clare and kids today.
State Fair tomorrow.
Kindergarten orientation/open house Wednesday.
A long "to do" list for around the house.

One thing at a time. Slow and steady wins the race.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Someone Call the "Waa"mbulence

Yeah, not sure what's going on with me this week, but I have been so lazy!
I've been complaining to myself in my head all week as well.

Now, I realize I do not have the hardest, busiest, most difficult life. I know!
BUT, for this week, I don't want to do anything.

Here it comes:
I'm sick of cleaning up toys. I'm sick of washing dishes. I'm sick of laundry. I'm sick of cleaning. I'm sick of packing the diaper bag to go to the grocery store, or the park, or a friend's house. I'm sick of going for walks. I'm sick of changing diapers. I'm sick of giving baths and doing ponies and piggies and braids. I'm sick of coming up with "fun and exciting" things to do for the kids. I'm sick of repeating myself over and over and over.
I'm sick of being the one who has to pack for 4 out of 5 people when we go out of town. I'm sick of making doctor appointments and dentist appointments. I'm sick of always being the one to make arrangements for babysitters and dog kennels. (I'm sick of picking up dog poop too - come to think of it). Now I get to be the one to figure out school supplies, school clothes, school haircuts and new shoes and play dates and teacher conferences and what to pack for lunch.

Just for this week I really, really, really, really wish I could just be a Mom and forget all the parent stuff. I just want to wake up, eat whatever, stay in our PJ's, stay greasy, and be lazy. But alas, my children have a different agenda. They did not ask to be born to a lazy mother and they deserve all the things I'm so sick of doing.
I guess that means this goes no further than a blog post.

Time to get dressed, make a list for camping and a list for Grandma and Grandpa's overnight bag. Go to the grocery store. Pack. Clean. Bathe. Feed. Change.
Love.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I'm Playing Too

When you were 18....

1) What was your dream job? being a psychologist.
2) Car? Fiero (deathtrap) but I thought it was totally cool.
3) Vacation? I was on a permanent vacation, really.
4) Husband? was NOT thinking like that at 18
5) How many children were you going to have? 3
6) What was your favorite food? drink? Food - any. I was broke and starving. Mostly lived on Big Gulps and cigarettes. Drink - any :-)
7) Where did you work at? Uno's pizzaria. I was a hostess.
8) What did you do for fun? Explore AZ
9) Favorite movie? Dazed and Confused
10) Favorite color? Pink
11) Were you college bound or college broke? College bound.
12) Hair color? Reddish brown, long and curly
13) Favorite store? Yeah, probably Express.
14) Best memory? Going to a live Steve Miller band outdoor concert. It was SO COOL.
15) Current job? Mom, daycare provider and (ahem) waitress.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Grandparents are Fun






















The last couple of weeks have been spent with my side of the Grandparent spectrum and we have been having a BALL!!

Last weekend my Mom flew in for a few days and we had perfect weather to spend some much needed R&R out by the pool. We were so busy munching, drinking and relaxing that I completely forgot to pull out the handy camera.

We also did a really fun trip to the Mall of America while she was here and the kids got to go on almost every ride they had thanks to the 100 point "mystery ticket" the kids got at a recent parade. Man I love free.

Then, this weekend we went to my Dad and Marilyn's cabin on Big Floyd lake in the D.L. area.
I have missed the lake SO much and it was amazing to be there with the kids and watch them truly enjoy all the things I enjoyed so much growing up at the lake.

As you can see from the pictures, we did just about everything one can do at a lake. Swimming, fishing (you like the big guys with the Hannah Montana and Princess fishing rods??), boating, EATING, drinking, nature walking (Papa got the big girls their own cattails), lawn mower riding, laughing, catching up with family and relaxing.

Why does summer ever have to end???

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My New Resume

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work various hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is for the rest of your life.” Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially Independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Nightly Mantra







Every night after prayers I pretty much always tell myself the same thing:

Tomorrow is going to be better than today.
I am going to stay positive and try and not get angry.
I am going to not just be home with my kids, but be present.
I am going to be the best Mom I can be.

I have been saying this for, oh, about 5 years now.

Some days are better than others, but I really feel that if I keep reminding myself of how I want my days to be I will slowly make it happen.

Anyone else have these thoughts?