Pre Easter Arrival

Saturday morning at 1:10 am I hear "Mom.......Mom my water broke!"
I fly out of bed wake up Jim and Michael and proceed to get everything Brittany needs to go to hospital. I enter living room and she is just standing there. Not moving just watching us. I realize she needs a towel for herself.
As the commotion in the house begins I tell her to call the hospital and let them know we are on our way.
In the car we both begin our designated phone calls to make.
We get to hospital, get her in the delivery room and begin all the motions involved. As her mom watching her go through all the pain with contractions my heart breaks because I can not make the pain stop.

Slowly but surely others begin to show up at the hospital.(not by my choice on some)She is in so much pain and is really not up to having people visit but she still allows them to.
Later in the morning she is given a epidermal and her pain is relieved and with that stress relieved she is beginning to dilate more. Her girlfriends arrive to spend time with her and to be here for her special day.
As the day progresses more and more friends and family arrive at the hospital.

Final at 5:39 pm Ian David arrives. I had the pleasure of being my daughters birthing coach and be apart of my grand son's birth.

Unfortunately there were some complications after the birth there fore the guest I call Ian's fan club had to wait to see him. Some were very upset about the wait. Some were completely understanding or decided to visit another day.

All I can say that I am truly blessed for the family and friends that came and took over the small waiting room on the arrival of a very precious gift from god.
All things are well and today they come home.

What have I made my children into

 

I have to admit I have wonderful children. They make me laugh daily. Sometimes I wonder why I got so lucky to have them.

This past Monday my oldest did the most shocking thing. To understand what she did you have to know a small piece of history.

She has been in a Civics class all year. And even though the teachers are to keep their political views out of the classroom she realized that her teacher is a Liberal. And my daughter has become quite outspoken about her own political standing. And she has done her own homework on what has been going on with Healthcare.

On, Monday she walked up to her teacher in the hallway at school and approached her teacher and said, “ You got your “FREE” Healthcare”.

The teacher looked at her and said, “Wow.” Brittany did get a little worried that she may have over stepped. And asked, “ Am I in trouble?”

Her teacher told her no. She had the freedom of free speech. Then her teacher told her to write to the President and tell him her views and that maybe she could change his mind.

 

Then, just the other day we were at a friend place and he owns a salvage yard. Michael loves to walk around the yard. Brittany like to do this also. It was after hours so the yard was closed so it is ok for them to walk around out there.

We headed up to the house to sit around and BS. I looked out the patio window to see Michael walking up to junk cars and looking in the windows.

I said, “ Oh my, my kids are becoming scavengers.”

Jim looked at me and said, “ Where do you think they learned it?”

Ha ha ha was my reply. After a while they came in and Brittany looks at me and says, “Look mom, I found two pairs of jeans that will fit me!” I instructed her to put them in the car and I would wash them when we got home.

I sat there and thought about it a while. And then I said out loud, “ I am so lucky that I do not have kids that have issues with clothing from out of junked car or thrift stores. There are so many children out there that would turn their nose up at such an idea.”

My daughter is so wonderful when it comes to things like that. She could care less about where I bought it. As long as she thinks it is cool and she will wear it.

Sorrow

Yesterday we learned that my husbands grandfather passed away. It was is mothers father. I sensed a pattern. A few months after my mom passed my grandma also passed. I of course was selfish at that time and feeling that it was all not fair. I could not understand why god would put myself and my family through so much in such a short period of time. I will admit I was angry, hurt, and lost. I now understand that god never puts more than you can handle in front of you.
I still cry and miss my mom. And I know it is OK for me to do that. I am no longer angry.
I know I really do not share my feelings here but today is different.
Today I will cry a lot. Not in sadness but in joy of the lives my loved ones have lived. To know they are at peace. And walking with the lord. I thought I would share a email I got recently:

I had an unexpected visitor this morning. He arrived early; sat down with me and chatted for awhile about how things were currently going for me in my life. After carefully and compassionately listening to all that I had to say, He saw the stress on my face and the tears in my eyes. He walked over to me and gently held me for awhile because I was having a really bad morning. Then, after reassuring me not to worry,and that everything would work out for me and be just fine, He asked me if I knew of anyone else who could use a visit from Him. I immediately thought of you. I gave him your name and told Him where you lived. He gave me another reassuring hug and I thanked Him and walked with Him to my front door. He told me that he was on His way to your place. When He gets there, please escort Him to the next stop. Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC. The message He is carrying is very important and needs to go around. I asked Him to bless you and yours with peace, happiness and abundance. Say a prayer, and then pass Him on to bless others as I sent him on to bless you. Our assignment is to spread love, respect and kindness throughout the world. Have a blessed day and touch some body's life today as I hope I have touched your life. He's walking around the world via e-mail! Please pass it on so He can get there....

I felt it was a good message for me.

Elephant,1004ft Ship, Fish ect........

We headed north for the 4th. We decided to go to sight see around Cloquet and Duluth area.
Just like we did last year. We have decided to make this a tradition. While we were in Cloquet we saw a family that were setting up their small family circus. They had elephant rides. So, the kids wanted to ride it. Who am I to miss taking a picture of that.

Next we stopped at this fort.

Morning of the 4th. I decided to make my little man very patriotic.

The sail ship the Sullivan came in to port in Duluth

My wonderful children aboard the ship

What a beautiful ship. I wish we could have seen it with the sails up.

And what would the 4th be with out visiting Lady Liberty

Catching rays on a bronze airbed

Bronze sturgeon anyone

At the Aquarium. Stingray anyone

I wish that quality was better. This Muskie was at least 4ft. Imagine

catching him on your line. He had a real interest in my girl. Was just watching every

move she made.

I really do not know what this fish was but it was so funny to watch.

Here we are playing in the water way.

This is the Edgar B. Speer. Working its way in to port.

This ship was 1004 feet long

Some of the crew as the ship goes by.

Hanging out on the shore skipping rocks.

(I took pictures of just the rocks but the Oldest girl told me I was a dork) LOL

Lighthouse in Duluth

Fountain in Canal Park

Stuffed monkey in the Store.

And of course we can not miss the stuffed Moose.

And last but not least. The US military out recruiting in Costume as Video game

characters.

Happy Fathers Day

HAPPY FATHERS DAY. To husbands,Fathers, Uncles,Brothers, and friends.

Thanks to all that makes a differance in mine and my families life.

Family Talk

I have been thinking about all our strange conversations that we have as a family. We talk about the strangest things.
Here are a few examples:
Dinosaurs: We enjoy asking people first do you believe is god? When they say "yes, we then ask how come according to the Bible the earth was created approximately 6000 years ago, but they say dinosaurs have been on the earth for BILLIONS of years? Go ahead think about it. We have so fun with that.
Recently, we discussed Aliens. Yes, you heard me correctly ALIENS. We began by asking how come humans have been on the earth for approx. 6000 years we have only began to come in to such technology within the past 100 years. Our thoughts are we did not all of a sudden just start to get smart and create such amazing things. I feel it is possible.
Micro Chipping: Everyone knows about animal micro chipping. But I guess there was a show on TV about how the government has been Micro Chipping PEOPLE. OK, now I do not believe that. But, as we all know anything is possible.
I could write for hours. And then your would all really think we were weirder than we are.LOL

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day.

Today we celebrate MOMS. Here are the important moms in our life.

Sister

Stepmom

sister Mom

Mom

Home

We are final home. It has been a very long and emotional week for all of us.
Our animals were so happy to see us. My cat has not left my side all day the dog is always at my side.
I brought home one of the plants. All that know me know that in door plants and I do not get along very well. But I will give it a try.
Michael has adopted a hamster. It will be moving in. That should be full of entertaining stories. 1 cat plus 1 dog and now a hamster. Oh, the stories that should build.

A Hard Decision

We have had to make a hard decision this weekend. Now we love our animals very much but we love our children even more. We have been having some issues with our older dog. He has been very aggressive to our other dog. My daughter was trying to get the older dog to leave the other dog alone and he bite her. That is a no no in my house. I love him beyond belief. But I can not have a dog that bites here. Now that he has bite some one I will just worry that he may try to do it to other people. So tomorrow we will be taking him to the animal shelter. We have explained to the kids that they will hopefully find him a new home and we will all miss him. His aggression has been getting worse and we worry that his behavior will make the other dog aggressive. The kids seem to understand that this is what is the best choice for us to do. It is very hard on me. I love the dog.

Our Kind of Sleepover

We have an nontraditional type of sleep over that happens quite often in my home.

No, it is not a bunch of kids or strange parties.

We have doggie sleep overs. We have more dogs spending the night than children.

Really.....currently we have 4 dogs in my house as I type this. I have my 2. And then I also have 2 of my girlfriends.

Why you ask? I have no clue it is just fun. All the dogs get along and they make less noise than kids. LOL Really have you ever tried to sleep with girls giggling. Not a easy task. And little boys yep you know if they are to quiet they are up to something. With dogs they all stay near you sleep at your feet and really are not that demanding. And the kids seem to enjoy it also.

pictured is from left to right:

Curlie, Ruger, Voodoo, Charlie.

And of course my beautiful kids.

Yes three of them are related

A Night Away

Yesterday, we had hotel reservations for Jim's Christmas party. We decided to bring the kids with so they could have a little fun too. I was able to get an early check in so the kids could swim. The weather may have been -18 outside but it was a comfortable 78 in the pool area if not warmer.
After swimming the kids got to hang out in the room while Jim and I went to his party. They had it made pizza and movies.
Jim and I had a good time, Lots of good conversations, laughing and dancing. Jim did dance with me a little.(he is not big on dancing).To me the best part was when we were slow dancing one of his co-workers had a little to much to drink that he decided he needed to dance with Jim. LOL I had a little to drink. LOL And decided I could still dance like I was 18 again. I danced like I used to dance when I used to go clubbing. The good thing was I was not as sore as I thought I would be today.

New Buzz

We have done the Harry Potter books and movies. Currently we are just beginning the phase of the Twilight movie. Since we have read all the books. The actors we here in MN yesterday. My oldest darling wants to go to the opening night showing of the movie. She has been informed that is not going to happen. She was very disappointed. I explained to her that it is a school night and that if her report card did not have 2 F's (due to not turning work in and being lazy) she would have maybe been able to go to the midnight showing. Depending on how her week goes she will maybe be going on Saturday instead.
Our news find in the book realm is The 39 Clues. This is a interactive read. You read the books collect cards and play online. The kids and I have just started our journey. We have decided to make this a family thing. Book two comes out in December.

Harvest Fest

The kids showing off their horse skills. I know a little corney. LOL

This is a dragon. We did not get to see him move and eat pumpkins

Well now we know how tall they are.

This is the jail. Yes I bailed her out.

Any offers?This little guy was so cute. I could not resist taking his photo.

That was our day. I was not very impressed with the venue. We had to pay to get in and then for the things the kids wanted to do cost money also. We did do the mazes that was fun. To be honest the kids had more fun at the place we went to get our pumpkins. And boy prices are going up $.35 a pound. Tonight they are going to carve that will be fun.