New Camera = New Pictures

Check out a blog spot just for my pictures: http://frommyfocus.blogspot.com/

4 Things You Cannot Recover

...the stone after the throw.
...the word after it is said.
...the occasion after the loss.
...the time after it is gone.

My Boys

Where I don't belong...

So once again it is proven this morning that I do not belong in the kitchen.

Yes, I am a woman. Yes, I am Brians wife.

No, cooking, baking and all of that jazz is NOT in my d.n.a.

Let me begin at the beginning...

Brian and I are not much into Valentines day... Ever since we have first been together, we figured what was the point of being loving and romantic on one day if you couldn't do so on the other 364? Whats the point of spending $50 on some marked up flowers that will die in 3 days when we could go out and have a great meal and a wonderful conversation that we will remember forever? So of course this is something that I want my babies to know so I figured that for V-day we would say we love each other...and then make cupcakes.

So now back to the kitchen...

Since the cupcakes did not end up getting made yesterday, I was on a kick to get them done this a.m.

First, I used the wrong kind of oil - and now they taste like fish. Second, I didn't have almond flavoring in the cupboard, so I used vanilla - which come to find out is double strength (?) and now the frosting is enough to make anyone gag. Third, I bought what I thought were these cute little red & white sugar sprinkles just for effect and my main man points out that they are in fact PEPPERMINT sprinkles!

So now, we have wonderful valentines day cupcakes that taste like fish, vanilla and peppermint!!

Uhg!

So I give - Brian, the kitchen is all yours!

Good Advice

1. Pray2. Go to bed on time.3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. 5. Delegate tasks to capable others.6. Simplify and unclutter your life.7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. 9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.10. Take one day at a time.11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. 13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. 15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. 16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.17. Get enough rest.18. Eat right.19 Get organized so everything has its place. 20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.22. Every day, find time to be alone.23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.24. Make friends with Godly people. 25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'27. Laugh.28. Laugh some more!29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). 31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).32. Sit on your ego.33 Talk less; listen more.34. Slow down.35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Water Park - Day 4...and going home.

So we had one last woohoo at the water park this morning, and then we headed home.

While these two didn't make it too long after we had lunch...

...this little one outlasted them both!!

Water Park - Day 3 (later evening)

Our boys - relaxing...

...and this little man is just too cute for words!

Water Park - Day 3 (evening)

Can you tell that Nate is just about fed up?

A bit forced - but still a beautiful smile!

Mommy & Nicker - floating on the lazy river.

Boys!

Alright, so as sick of hearing "I win, I WIN!!!"...

What is it with boys - everything seems to be a competition! Walking down the hallway. Running. Eating. Vsmile games. Counting. Going to bed. Getting dressed.

...I love it when afterwards I hear "Good job Si!!" or "Way to go Nick!!"

I am now resigned to the fact that yes, everything will be a challenge, but they are very encouraging and supportive despite the outcome.

Water Park - Day 3 (morning)

Behind the splash - Nick

Can you tell we are cold?

So, it's time for the hot tub!

Yes, more sleeping pictures!

This picture cracks me up! Poor Nick - Tator is such a pusher!

Fireproof

So, Brian and I watched the movie Fireproof last night. Very good movie - very real. Real to life...real to our life.

I think one of the things that has stuck with me the most is the phrase that one of the characters said (and I'm paraphrasing)... "Fireproof doesn't mean that the fire won't ever come. It means that when the fires do come, you will be able to withstand them."

Looks like the 40 day love challenge is a real thing - book - and that there is a whole website devoted to couples, churches and other groups that are taking this movie and this challenge to a whole new level - great stuff! Check it out! http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

In the last 2 days, I can't count how many times I've said:

1. Alright boys, take your clothes off.

2. Stop drinking the water!

3. I'm hungry.

4. Yes, we are going to go swimming. YES, we are going to go swimming.

5. We can leave AFTER I have finished _____ (eating, getting dressed, going to the bathroom etc)!!

6. YES, WE ARE GOING TO GO SWIMMING!

I'm old.

I am old...and in pain...

My arms, my pecs, my abs (yes, they are there beneath the baby belly)...are all in pain from being used so extensively...while we swim. Kicking legs, holding kids afloat...all of it so much more than I usually do with these muscles of mine.

Actually, it's nice to know that they are still there!

But anyway, I'm old...and in pain...

...and my wonderful husband just confirmed this! HA!

Water Park - Day 2

So day #2 was full of swimming - 3 water parks, many water slides and 3 super exhausted kids, who as I type are chilling out watching a movie.

Here are some pics of our day:

Picnic lunch

More water slides

Time for a snack

This is Nathan after gulping chlorine water

(a constant here - I have stopped even trying to get him to quit)

and this is cutie pie Nate

Silas - Your mom is going to love this one!

My new favorite drink - LOVE IT!

All tuckered out.

If only it could have stayed like this all night long - ha! Instead, Nate decided to take his parents on a little trip down memory lane...to nights when he was about 8 months old and getting up about 3 times in the middle of the night with us switching shifts! Ahh! Guess it just means we need to play a little harder today!

No more sleeps!

No more sleeps! ...was declared to us this morning by the Nicker. And he was right - it was time for a break...time for a vacation...time for the water park!! So after picking up his friend Silas we were off to WI. Dells.

Dinner time = goofy guys.

playing with the balls...

Friends

Pizza time!

Us

Swimming fun!

Tator & Daddy

the Guys

...and last but not least - proof that I was here too!