Sunday Thoughts

Random thoughts to wrap up this week...

School is out and summer is here!  The last week of school was definitely busy, meeting filled and emotionally draining...  I'll leave it at - I wouldn't want to get Dooced.  

Thank you to Marv and Carol for coming last Sunday and staying through Thursday.  It was great to have them here watching Anthony while Mark and I worked.  I'm sure they had lots of fun with him, but are probably enjoying the quiet life once again in GR!  

Speaking of Carol, I've been meaning to post the beautiful quilt she made for Anthony.  This fall the moms came down to Becker to go shopping for the nursery.  At the time we had no clue we would be getting an 18 month old!  We decided on this gender neutral fabric and then they were busy putting everything together.  The quilt is now hanging in his room and we LOVE IT!  Thank you again, Carol, for all of the time and love you put into making this for your grandson.  It will always be treasured.

Joni - aka Becoming Picasso - has landed in Ballyvaughan and her six week adventure in Ireland has begun.  The story of how she got there is truly amazing;  it definitely speaks to how strong she is.  I think I would have been a mess.  I guess The Amazing Race would never be for me.  I like my comfort zone and rarely like to travel out of it.  Way to go, Jo! I'm looking forward to seeing more photos and hearing about your adventures.  

Gas prices.  I probably shouldn't go there, but I'm going to anyway.  I'm still shocked it has reached $4.00 a gallon. Today we put 16 gallons into my car and it cost over $60.00. Unbelievable.  Today I heard that a barrel of gas will cost $150 by fourth of July.... I guess it will continue to get worse before it ever gets any better.

I think I'm still stuck in Sex in the City mode because I continue to think about my friendships with others.  This past week Jenn and I got together a couple of times and have had great conversations.  Without a doubt, her friendship enriches my life and she's helped greatly with everything that has been emotionally draining... 

If you haven't heard of Brent Holmes and his amazing kids music you should look into it!   Anthony is completely in love with Cow Tunes for Kids and listens to it multiple times a day. The good thing is that Mark and I really like the cd as well.  The music is fun and catchy; you'll find yourself singing and dancing too!  Holmes has several other music too - bear tunes, moose tunes, etc.  Check it out!  Thank you, Barb and John, for giving Anthony this wonderful gift he loves!

The next two weeks I'm teaching summer school and Anthony will have Lauren - a former student of mine - babysit him during the morning.  I REALLY hope he will be feeling better tomorrow for her.  Today was worse then yesterday with being sick and he always wanted to be held by mommy and daddy.   There are many diarrhea stories I could share, but I will spare you all the details.

Not that any of you care, but I saved almost fifty dollars today at Cub with all of my coupons!  (I told you this post would be random thoughts!)  Coupons have become my new addiction...

I think that's it!  Enjoy the upcoming week everyone!

A Saturday at Home

Today has been a lazy Saturday.  We were suppose to go up north this weekend, but decided to stay home because of my busy schedule this past week and summer school starting up on Monday.  I definitely need the time to plan and figure everything out.

I'm thankful we stayed put because Anthony hasn't felt well since he woke up.  He's had diarrhea all day, which has been delightful for Mark the gagger!  So needless to say, it's been kind of a low-key day around the house.  

We did make it to the park, to a garage sale down the street and out into the backyard.  Our neighbors had their grandson, Ronan, for the weekend.  Here they are hanging out and Ronan is trying to figure out a way to climb over the fence.  Hopefully the next time he visits Anthony will be feeling much better.

Even though he wasn't feeling the best the frog pool was too hard to resist.  He ended up playing in the water and even getting daddy to play too!

Hopefully tomorrow will be another nice day and he'll be feeling much better.

Getting "Carried" Away

Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha definitely didn't disappoint!  

It's late - 11:11 to be exact - but I know I won't be able to go to bed until I put some thoughts down and out of my already filled-to-the-max mind.  

I grew up with basically two channels that worked and one or two that would come in really fuzzy.  I always believed that "snow" was just a part of viewing a television.  So it should come as no surprise that I lag behind the masses when it comes to popular television shows throughout the decades.  

HBO really was out of the question and it was a big deal to stay at a hotel that had it.  (I now laugh when I see those signs of advertisement and get filled with a bit of nostalgia too.)  Never had I watched Sex in the City until a few years ago when I ran across the syndicated version on TBS.  I have to admit that I was quickly addicted to the story line and fascinated by a life I know nothing about. I shouldn't say nothing...  Perhaps I'm not big into labels, finding the next fashion  party and I certainly don't live in New York; however, I was immediately drawn to the friendship of the four women. Watching them interact through the good, the bad and funny life situations was always a thirty minute treat. The movie has proved to be even better.

Tonight the eight of us armed with yummy homemade treats - thanks, Gina! - went to our first girls night out movie together.  This was a PERFECT movie to go to with the ladies.  (Thanks again Mark for declining my invitation!  I'm so glad!)  There were times we laughed so hard that we were crying and other times we connected with their emotions so deeply that we cried once again.  The outfits they wore were definitely outrageous and the lives they live are unimaginable to me.  But, once again, it was their friendships with each other that resonated deeply in me.  

So tonight as I think and type I reflect on my own life and the friendships I have been blessed by throughout the years. When I was younger I always wanted more friends like they were trophies to collect.  I thought that would make me happier, more popular, or well liked.  Luckily I realized in high school that substance was more important than quantity and I carried that lesson with me throughout the years.  

I have amazing friends.  Friends who are honest, diverse, and come from all different backgrounds.  Even though they are all different they share similar qualities as well.  I know I've gotten through many of life's struggles because of their support and constant "cheerleading" for Tonja.  Thank you for accepting me as I am and sharing your life with me.  

Anyone surprised that I have taken this fun, lighthearted movie and turned it into something emotional?  I guess I always just get "carried" away with the things that really matter in life and it bubbles out of me.  

11:49 - DEFINITELY time for bed...

Anthony's Big Plan

Grandma and Grandpa Hanson came down today to watch Anthony this week while I finish up at work.  He was excited to see them and even more excited to bring them out to the backyard to say thank you for the pool they bought him.  I'm convinced he had a plan even before we walked out the deck door...

This picture is innocent enough.  Right?  He's just touching the water and trying to express just how much fun he had playing in his frog this afternoon.

Yep.  He's in the pool.  It started off with a foot in the water with his sock and shoe on.  Daddy took off both socks and shoes and this was the result. (In case you were wondering today was a multiple change of outfits day.)

After much "talking" as well as pushing and pulling Anthony finally got daddy to join him in the pool too.  HOW FUN!  (I wonder if all three of us can fit in there?  I'm sure we will find out sometime this summer.) 

Once again, the smile says it all.  He might be drenched and have the heaviest diaper of all time, but he is clearly having so much fun.

His first display of public nudity...please don't call the cops!  He was stripped of his soggy clothes, but got away from me before I was able to wrap the towel around him.  I'm convinced that he really did have this all planned out from the moment Marv and Carol walked in the door.

I cannot help but to smile as I see these pictures and post this blog tonight.  Motherhood is full of struggles and there has been several times I've second guessed myself since February. However, all of the struggles and second guessing is worth it!  Anthony truly is amazing and I love everything that comes with being Anthony's mama.  We are so blessed.

The Frog Pool

Today was gorgeous - even a bit too hot.  (Don't be too mad at me for saying that!)  Mark and I decided it was finally time to get the frog pool out and put to good use.  While Anthony napped we blew it up and filled it with water.  

At first he was a bit hesitant to get in, but he warmed up to it eventually.  The eyes at the top were just too irresistible and he had to get into the pool so he could touch and play with them.

Zoey was a big fan of the new pool too.  She loves the spraying water option so she can get a drink whenever she would like.  (You can see Mark in the background working hard transplanting a bush.  It makes me feel a bit guilty now that we played all day while he skipped lunch and worked constantly outside.)

Finally!  After many screams of DADA! Mark came over to check out the fun!  

The smile says it all.  Anthony loves being outside and the frog pool was a big hit.  I'm sure we will have lots of fun playing in the backyard this summer.

EXTREME Moonlight Bowling

After the BBQ we headed over to Monticello's relatively new bowling alley to take part in some extreme moonlight bowling.  It was a major stepping stone for us because it was the first time we have been without Anthony since getting him over three months ago.  The Feierabends had their fabulous babysitter, Rachel, come over and we went to have some fun.  (FYI: Anthony did great and so did his parents!  Are you surprised?)  

The night was an absolute blast with lots of laughs, gutter balls and some strikes along the way too!  (Some of us even won money for those strikes!)  

Shaun didn't disappoint!  The dragon shirt came out; however, the dragon pants had to stay at home.  I was hoping Tracy would go into labor and they would rush out while he was still wearing this awesome shirt, but that didn't happen.  However, he did manage to leave without his shoes...

Speaking of Tracy, baby Emerson is about to make an appearance any day now.  Unfortunately, she didn't go into labor last night, but hopefully his delivery day will come soon.  We are all so excited to meet him.  Tracy was a great sport last night with all of our craziness.

 

Gina and April - the two hotshot bowlers also know as Lips and Zesty - smiling for a pre-bowling picture.

Juicy Joni, New Woman Alexis and Lustful Laura lounging in between their amazing feat of ball control.

There was LOTS of dancing happening last night.  (I told you we had a great time!)  I tried catching Luke's famous moves, but failed each time.  However, I was able to capture Michael's crowd pleaser.  I wonder if this was before or after he won ten dollars for that strike?

Hopefully now Mark and I won't be as hesitant to get a babysitter and go out every once in awhile.  Even though Mark didn't dance at all while I was pulling out some old school moves we both had a great time stinking at bowling and hanging out with great friends.  

Non Bird Flu BBQ

The Feierabend's hosted another springtime BBQ yesterday, which was, as always, such a great time.  (The "Non Bird Flu" comment stems from two years ago when after a Sunday BBQ at their old house in St. Cloud the majority of us became ill and missed a day or two from work. No one is sick in our household today so I'm hoping we are bird flu free this time around!) Even though some bad weather rolled in and we wondered whether or not to head for shelter we still had a great time.  It was nice to celebrate another year of teaching, Alexis and Gina's birthdays, have a pep talk for delivery with Tracy and celebrate Joni's impending trip to Ireland in just four short days.  

I guess it all boils down to the fact that it feels great to have such amazing friends that I can work and "play" with.  I definitely feel blessed to have each and everyone of them in my life.

Anthony and Cam-a-roo spend some time reading books and playing together before we head outside.

What a cutie, huh?!  Anthony is getting ready to go down the slide while the clouds were setting up for a BANG. Luckily, the weather didn't get too nasty; however, the sirens did go off, which was unsettling in lieu of what happened last weekend in Hugo.

Ry and Cam enjoy some swinging time while mommy pushes them and visits.  I'm looking forward to many play dates this summer as well as watching our boys grow and build friendships in the future.