Friday, February 28, 2014

Snapshot #1




 

Outside my window: Cloudy, dreary and cold! Did I mention cold? Cause it is. This morning it was a balmy -11, with an air feel of -21. I guess I should be glad it's now 4 above and only feels like -12 out there.


I am thinking: that it's Friday which means it's chore day and my house will finally get some much neeed attention.


I am thankful for: the fact that this week is coming to a close. It has been so incredibly hard having to say good-bye to Doodle. When you have a pet for so many years, it's touch to wake up to them not being here. I truly lost a dear friend this week and I really miss him. 


Last 3 purchases: chocolate raspberry truffle k-cups, ingredients for some hearty homemade soup, and a fireplace permit. Did I mention it's cold outside?

Dinner plans: Italian sausage with peppers, onions, and mushrooms over some gluten free pasta. It's Ben's specialty and he's in charge of making supper tonight. :)
 
 
Future plans I'm looking forward to: My lovely cousin and her family coming next weekend. I so enjoy her company. Her kids are so loveable and her dear husband is going to help work on our basement. Bless that dear man's heart.

 
Kid Funny: At bedtime last night, Ella asked Jason when we could get another pet. (I think she, too, feels the loss and the lonely feeling that the house now has.) She said that she would like 3 pets. Ella then asked Jason what animal he would like. He answered "a shrimp!" Then Lily chimed in "Then we can eat it!" Followed by "FOR BREAKFAST!!" in an even louder voice. Ella didn't think this idea was so funny.


I am reading:  This question made me laugh at first...free time to read an adult book for myself?!? But I did just go to the library on Wednesday and I picked up some books Ella had on hold. One of them looks pretty good so we are going to start reading it together at bedtime. It's a recommendation from Auntie Jill called Gone Away Lake. Any excuse to snuggle in with Ella is welcomed. Soon she'll be too old for little-kid things like that. Savoring these moments while I still have them!


In the kitchen: Homemade split pea and ham soup ready for lunch. All my kids devour this soup. And it's so much tastier than the silly Campbell's version in a can. It's from The Barefoot Contessa.
 

Watching: Duck Dynasty...I love this show.


Snacking on: does coffee count as a snack?

Rest-of-the-day-plans: vacuuming, mopping the floor, dusting, laundry, and cleaning some bathrooms. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Oh...and that's in between taking care of 5 children. :)
 
 

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Life Loved...

A life loved...

         ...A life lost.



Today was a rough day.
An emotional day.
A day I knew would eventually come...
     ...and a day I wanted never to arrive.

Today I had to say goodbye.

Goodbye to my ever-loyal cat.

Might sound crazy to some, but let me tell you that I became very attached to this animal. 18 years attached. He became a member of the family, saw me through a marriage as well as 5 kids, and was an ever-present companion throughout my turbulent pregnancies.

Doodle will forever be missed. I loved him dearly.



Wordless Wednesday

Hattie's favorite food: yogurt

10 mo. old

Her usual...happy, happy, happy

Cora's new obsession thanks to the winter olympics: ice dancing

Right after Auntie told us the news that she is expecting...lots of happy girlies!

Selfie

Messy bedhead :)

Christmas jammies from Mommy and Daddy...a yearly tradition.

Loves her some bath time

Building towers to knock down in a competitive game with Amma.

Go Gophers!

All the kiddos in their matching penguin jammies

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tuesday Tidbits

I think I may have missed my calling. I should have been an event planner. I just have waaay too much fun planning things. I can't even explain how writing a list makes me feel. And then to scratch things off on said list...well, it fills me with warm fuzzies. I had a blast planning my dad's grad party. I can't believe that we pulled off a surprise party with the guest of honor under the roof. That takes some serious work. Can't believe he's got his master's now, such an accomplishment. So proud of him and his example of what hard work and dedication can do for a person.
 
***
 
Since returning from TRF and pulling into the garage at 12:09am last night, I can officially say that I have only logged 4 hours and 15 minutes of sleep. Why is it that when a baby goes to sleep late, they don't just simply sleep in later in the morning?!? Why do they insist on getting up at the same exact time that they would have had they gone to bed at regular time? My brain says that if I got to bed 4+ hours late, I should sleep in 4+ hours longer in the morning. Same question goes for 3 year olds and 5 year olds. This mama just wants some sleep.
 
***
 
Ben is a little tuckered out from the festivities of the weekend. I could do no right by him this morning. Example: Ben started crying when I told him it was time to do school. Why you ask? He was upset because he didn't understand why on earth he couldn't do more chores instead and was being made to work on schoolwork. When this child decided that chores were so much fun is beyond me...in fact, if you asked him last week he would have told you he hated them.
 
***
 
I overheard Lily and Ben having a conversation about what they want to be when they grow up. Ben said he wants to be a dad and a chef. Lily piped up and said "You have to make sure you get married first before you get pregnant, Ben!!" He started laughing and enlightened her that
boys do. not. get. pregnant.
 
***
 
Just in case you were wondering, there is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby snuggled into a mama's arms. Safe and secure...all being right in their little world. Hattie was still tired when she woke up from her nap, so I sat on the couch and cuddled her. She fell back to sleep for a few hours, it's these moments that I want to savor and remember always. There are dishes to be washed, toys to be picked up, meals to be made...but what's important is the time spent loving my children.
 
***
 
And here are a few pics from the party...have I mentioned that I am so proud of my dad?
 













 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Trapped!

This is what life looks like when you are a wee little one and you have two big sisters (aka Lily and Cora) who think they have some really good ideas...



And yes, this is what a house looks like with 5 children.