the Dentist - part 1

So tonight we had to talk to Nick about his upcoming trip to the dentist. This of course initially brought on the tears and the "I'm scared", however after telling him about the special chair, and the light that shines in your mouth and the opening wide...he is all in - or so he says. Tomorrow will tell...

...Nicholas did great! He was a bit apprehensive of the tools and the saliva sucker (?), but his teeth were cleaned and we are cavity free!!

Run.

Happy Nate

Hello & Goodbye - on the side!

Yes, I am aware that I did not hold my camera the correct way

- but it is too cute not to share!

Us...

This picture was really taken last summer...but I was playing around with my new photo shop so it will have to do!

When I look back at this picture, it amazes me how much has changed in the last nine months of our lives.

But Good & Bad. For Better & For Worse. You & Me.

Brian & Michelle.

Us.

I Love You Babe.

Nicholas is 5 !

Good Morning Birthday Boy!

Mommy & the Big Boy - going out for supper at his restaurant of choice - Applebees

Tator and Daddy

Birthday Cupcakes...

...and now blow!!!

Opening presents

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!

Nicks Birthday Party - 3/8

On March 8th, Nick had his first "friend" birthday party with a couple of boys from his pre-school class joining him for bowling, cake and all-over CRAZINESS!! Talk about boucing off the walls - and there were only three of them (plus the Tator)! They all had a great time though and Nick is still talking about it!

More Golfing - we just can't get enough!

P.J. Babies

Way Behind

Ok, so I'm way behind on blogging and posting pictures - new camera, new photo program and way to hectic of a life...but I will learn, I will do and I will pare down...at some point. Until then...

Hit the 9!

For Christmas, we had given Nick a set of golf clubs. I remember when he opened them that he was really excited and wanted to play with them; to which I responded "We have to wait until there isn't any snow on the ground buddy!"

Well, that day was here on Sunday!

Nicholas asked Brian and I if we wanted to go outside - we both said no (yeah yeah, bad parents!). I told Nick that if he wanted to get his coat and shoes and gloves on, that he could go out by himself. Less than 5 min. later he was ready to go. His only request..."Mom, I need my golf clubs because there's no snow!"

So while it was freezing out...there wasn't any snow on the ground...therefore it was time to play golf!

Notice Nicks lips - pretty bruised up from his fall!

Even Brian wanted to join in on the fun!

Our Weekend.

*We went to the Grant School Carnival on Friday night. As we were leaving, Nick was so focused on eating his popcorn that he fell on the sidewalk and now has a huge red/black gash above and below his lips. Poor boy was bawling - and when I asked him if he was going to be OK, his main concern was that he had spilled all of his popcorn. Moms full bag did the trick!

*I didn't work (I had a request from Brian to NOT work and to NOT to check my work email). It was so nice to actually have two full days to relax and play and get stuff done around the house.

*Brian let me sleep in Sat. AND Sun. morning - now that's love!

*We had the Franks over on Sat. night - lots of fun! And from this evening I learned how to spell Euchre (thanks Matt!!).

*Nicholas, Brian and myself played SO MUCH Wii!

*I attempted to make Pumpkin Bread and mistook the (t) in the recipe for a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon - again, me and the kitchen DO NOT get along!

*After Nicholas decided he just wanted to be the spinner - Brian and I played Twister. Yeah...Twister...and I am not nearly as nimble as I was when I was younger.

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.