Goodbye 2008

Tonight I will gladly say goodbye to 2008. For me this has been a difficult year, healthwise that is. I think any year that a 30 year old woman with 2 small children has to face a hysterectomy is a difficult one. With God on my side and lots and lots of prayer I have come out swinging and better for it. I am back to my fiesty self and ready to face 2009 with all it has to offer. Frank and I, along with the kids are looking forward to a great year with lots of fun adventures and of course many fun stories and pictures to share. Happy New Year to all! Have a great night!

Holiday overload

The good thing about the holidays is all of the festivities, the comings and goings, the gatherings, the family you haven't seen in months but the bad thing can also be just that. Especially for a family with preschoolers who is used to a schedule, and then when there is the yucky crud thrown in everything is thrown out of whack. Don't get me wrong, we have had a GREAT Christmas and I (of all people) am looking forward to ringing in 2009 with great gusto but thank goodness for a few down days in between. The last 2 days the kids and I have stayed in our jammies until 10am, watched way too much TV and I've read 2 books! Talk about needing some rest. I've also done 6 loads of laundry, tried to tiddy up the house and I took down Christmas on Saturday and it still looks like a small tornado went through our house. The kids are loving all the new toys and it's been fun to see Megan play dress up and change clothes 3 or 4 times a day(thanks Nana). I am really looking forward to tomorrow and ringing in 2009. I'm not sure what our plans are but I just pray that 2009 is better than 2008 and if I spend it on the couch with my sweet husband at midnight then that is fine with me as long as we are all healthy and safe this next year.

Sledding pics

Mitch and Uncle Phil
Mitch

My whole family went sledding yesterday and had a great time. Here are just a few pics from the day.

Christmas pics

We had a great Christmas despite a head cold that we have all merrily shared since Monday. Poor little Megan has it now and has a raspy voice that actually makes her sound so cute when she talks. I thought I would share just a few of the zillion pictures I have from the week. Mitch and Megan were really goodbut are totally exhausted from all the hub bub and family adventures and today just wanted to stay home and play with their new toys. Merry late Christmas to you all!


Christmas Eve

Megan in her Princess jewels
Me and my crazy kids!

Happy 5th Birthday Mitch

Dear Mitch,
I can't believe you are 5 today. It seems like just yesterday you were tearing through the house as a toddler, getting into everything and wrecking havoc on the dog's lives. Now you are reading, doing math and interested in everything mechanical and constantly asking me how fast things can go. My nickname for you is Mr. Question. I love you dearly my son. You have taught me to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life and you have also taught me to speed up, like when you have to go potty really bad after preschool. I hope you have a great year and we can learn and explore many new things together.

Love you lots! Happy Birthday!
Mommy

To do list

This was today's short to do list. I don't usually make lists like some of you do. I keep most of it in my head and if I do make a list then I just leave it at home which is where the grocery list ended up today.

make cupcakes
clean bathrooms
vacuum
fold laundry
go to grocery store
go to bank
pick up cake
send gingerbread men to school with Mitch
wrap presents
make goodie bags

Tomorrow is Mitch's 5h birthday so the list sort of has a theme to it. What wasn't on the list but I would have like to do was read my book and get a little down time but it didn't happen at all. I guess I will fit that in somewhere next week. Party pics tomorrow!

It happened

Just like I thought it would, I lost it today. One of my BIGGEST pet peeves is bad customer service and rude people. When I worked retail(men's formal wear) we had to go to customer service training ever six weeks so good customer service, or even decent customer service, is kind of a thing with me. Anyway, I had to go to the mall today and get my wedding ring repaired. The woman there was SO rude that I actually reached across the counter, took my ring back, politely informed her she was rude and marched Megan and I out of the store. I was so miffed that I had to literally sit down with Megan and bribed her with a sucker for a few because the poor girl thought she was in trouble because I had drug her out of the store in such a huff! So now my ring is still in my jewelry box upstairs because I didn't have time to drive to Flatirons and who wants to go to another mall one week before Christmas! So now I am at home, I am going to try to chill for a bit before I start in on the dozens of gingerbread men that I have to make for Mitch's preschool tomorrow. I hope I don't bite all their heads off!! lol

Starting to loose it...

There's 3 days until Mitch's birthday, 7 days until Christmas and I think I am starting to loose it! I had to go to a store that starts with W and ends with art tonight and the Christmas rudies were out in full force. Phew...I hope we all make it! I'll have to blog more about it later. Mitch is having a 2 week long stretch of night terrors, some eczema and is starting to catch a cold...not a good week for a 5th birthday. Stay warm!

Tagged

A few bloggy friends tagged me in the Christmas get to know you game so here are my answers...thanks girls!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate
2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? just sets them under the tree
3. Colored lights on tree or white?White.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?Nope but just because I don't want the dogs or kids eating the real stuff
5.When do you put your decorations up?Usually the first weekend in December
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?Stuffing and gravy
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?Anything involving Barbies or Cabbage Patch Kid Dolls
8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?I think I was 12
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?Yes.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?We let the kids do it and then I use ribbon instead of garland and candy canes.
11. Snow. Love it or dread it?It's ok
12. Can you ice skate?Oh yes. I took lessons for almost 4 years
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?Again, Barbies or cabbage patch dolls
14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?
The Birth of our Lord
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?My uncle's carmelitta's
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Going to the Children's Service on Christmas Eve
17. What tops your Christmas tree? A star

Update...

I can't believe it has been almost a week since I posted anything. I guess I obviously had way more time to be on the Internet last week when Frank was gone. In the last week these are just a few of the highlights (and low lights) that we have had around here:
Frank got home safe Friday night...the kids were SO cute when we picked him up at the airport.

Mitch pulled the fire alarm at church Sunday morning, DURING the 11am service and the whole congregation got to be evacuated. I would have like the crawl under a rock!

We had our Christmas MOPS holiday party on Sunday night and I learned how to play Bunco.

A MOPS mom taught me how to make and teach others to make dang-ly beaded earrings on Monday.

On Tuesday we had our Christmas MOPS meeting despite all of the snow and it was beautiful and wonderful.

It's been a very full week and it is ONLY Wednesday night! Luckily, I have the kids in bed early and am looking forward to some reading by the Christmas tree tonight.

Daddy Blues

Frank is still in Seattle...until tomorrow...and the kids are barely holding up. Like I mentioned earlier in the week, he hasn't done a long overnight in years. We are use to him traveling around the state all the time. He and the kids are well versed in the cities of Yuma, Wray, Kremmling and Walden but Daddy is usually home by 9 or 10pm and they can always talk to him on the phone. So long story short, this has been a hard week for them. So this morning when Mitch woke up with another attitude the size of Seattle I started singing him this song

I've got the I'm missing Daddy blues
I just want to go back to bed
Because my Daddy isn't coming home until Friday
Oh I've got the I've got a bad case of the I'm missing my Daddy Blues!!

Mitch was less than impressed but Megan loved it and I cannot tell you how glad I will be to see my dear, sweet husband walk out of that airport tomorrow!

One last thing, especially for Aunt Sue, the kids had snow for snack today: ) We had 5 inches today and we can't wait to see you on the 20th!!

Bootiful bootiful dress!

This is Megan's bootiful, bootiful princess dress. Isn't she lovely? She has been wearing it all week, whenever I will let her. She plays Cinderella's Ball in it and dances around the house proclaiming that "this is my bootiful, bootiful dress!" I think she is the most beautiful princess I have ever seen and definitely gives Cinderella a run for her money any day!

Advent with little ones

Yesterday marked the beginning of Advent and this year I also bought this really neat advent box at Target that has tiny little doors to hold small trinkets, candy, money...etc. to help count down the days of Advent. The meaning of Advent is patient waiting but with two small little ones its sounds a lot more like, "when can we open the first door mom, what do you think is behind door number 5? Is there candy in every door? When will we put our tree up?" This morning I read a very summarized verse from Matthew to the kids about the angel coming to Mary and telling her she had been chosen to carry the Christ child and he would be called the Messiah. We had dinner with my parents tonight and Mitch and Megan were retelling this all to my mom and dad and it came out more like....

"...we trick or treated from these doors and mom read from the Bobble about an angle that came down to a carrot and told her Jesus was coming." So maybe Mitch and Megan's version is a little different(ok a lot different) but I am working on it, and hopefully in time they will get the reason for the season!

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a great long Thanksgiving weekend. Frank took all 4 days off and we got lots of time to spend together as a family. The actual holiday was great and this year we spent the afternoon with Frank's parents and enjoyed time in their basement with the kids watching Bambi and Mitch eating TWO pieces of pumpkin pie! On Friday we went to see Bolt and Mitch loved it. Now our poor dogs Mazie and Gordon are being retrained by Mitch to become super dogs like in the movie(once you see it you'll understand) and you'll her him tell Mazie "super jump Mazie, come on!" It's cute but I feel kind of bad for Mazie and Gordon who just look at him like, "seriously?!". The rest of the weekend was spent with family and relaxing before returning to the routine of the week. Our week will be a little different around here. Tonight Frank left for Seattle for a week on a business trip. He hasn't been gone on a long overnight in years and the kids are all messed up. Mitch has an attitude the size of Seattle and Megan just plain 'ol doesn't want to go to bed(she is up there screaming while I write this). I hope it gets better because we have 5 more nights to go. A hot bath and a book is sounding pretty good right now. Happy turkey (and stuffing) weekend to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish you all a quick Happy Turkey day! I hope your day is blessed with great memories, wonderful food and time to relax and enjoy your family.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

A splendid day

Today was a pretty great day, long but all in all pretty good. We had a great MOPS meeting and I got to meet Joanne Heim in person today and she spoke to our group about Simplifying our Holidays. She had some great ideas and I can't wait to incorporate some into our holiday traditions. So great in fact, that I may need to make a stop at JoAnne's Fabric store tomorrow. Then, after the meeting I went over to my friend Amy's for lunch with Joanne and a few other of the MOPS girls. It was a nice pleasant time of food and fellowship and the kids were all so good. MOPS days are usually pretty hectic and tiring so Megan took a great nap and I got time to read my new Wally Lamb book and chill out before tackling the adventure of grocery shopping 2 days before Thanksgiving. It wasn't too bad tonight and I went by myself so that made it even better. Now I am off to clean up the kitchen a little more and then read more in my book.

Psalm 16:8, “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (NIV)

Very excited

I feel like I am going to met a celebrity tomorrow! Our MOPS group is having Joanne Heim www.thesimplewife.typepad.com speak at our meeting tomorrow and I am so excited! I have my clothes all laid out, my purse, bags and Megan's things are ready because I don't want to be a minute late! And if that wasn't enough a friend has invited me to have lunch with her (and Joanne) and some other bloggy friends and our kids tomorrow! So fun! I'll let you know how it is tomorrow and it's a good thing I have a good book to read in case I can't sleep tonight!

More new bracelets

All of my bracelets can be seen tomorrow at my sister's

Holiday Open House

Sunday, November 23rd
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Traci’s House, 13714 West 72nd Dr, Arvada, CO 80005
Cash or Check only please

for more infor contact me at erinwernlein@aol.com

Hope to see you there!

Daddy is nocturnal

Mitch was helping me put laundry away this afternoon and I told him to please put Daddy's away neatly because Daddy leaves early in the morning sometimes and he likes his piles neat so he can find his clothes in the dark. Mitch said, "yea, I know Mom, Dad's nocturnal."! He was doing such a good job with the laundry that I had to go into the bathroom for a good laugh!

Busy Busy

Blogging has been the last thing on my mind lately. The first thing? Kindergarten! I am researching Kindergarten for Mitch for next fall and you would think I was trying to get him into an Ivy league school or something! Serioulsy! All I hope to do is open and enroll him at a school close to us that would meet his "intellectual needs" and it's all I can think about! Goodness gracious! lol Other than that I have been beading up a storm in hopes of selling lots of bracelets on Sunday and reading Jodi Picoult's latest book Change of Heart. Whew! I think I need a vacation, or maybe just a massage, or a night with some girlfriends! (hint, hint)

New Bracelets

Come see my new selection of bracelets in a variety of sizes at :

Erin Wernlein, Traci Dorth and Gene Youngmann's

Holiday Open House

Featuring Stampin' Up Products

Gene's Illustrated Book Quack and

Erin's Bracelets

When: Sunday, November 23rd
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Where: Traci’s House, 13714 West 72nd Dr, Arvada, CO 80005

cash or check only

for more info contact Erin at erinwernlein@aol.com

Found...Mommy's lipgloss

Guess who I found hiding next to my bed this morning with my lipgloss? It was so cute that I ran for the camera before taking the lipgloss away.

Big day for Megan

Yesterday was a big day for Megan. Each night before she takes a bath I have been asking her if she wants to sit on the potty and try and go potty. Some night she tries and other nights not. Last night she was all excited about it and sat on the potty and sure enough she went! Frank and I made a huge big deal out of it, clapped, hurray-ed and said "yay Megan!" She was so proud of herself, got off the potty and announced to all of us, "I went twinkle twinkle in the potty!"

Sharing

I had a conversation over the weekend with another person that blogs about blogging everything in our lives or thinking about things during the day and thinking, "should I blog about that." For those of you who don't have a blog you all think I am nutso about now but I totally got what she was saying, so for the past few days I have been editing my thoughts and really truly wondering if what I post is what I want going out on the web for everyone to read. And then I thought, you know, I am a mom, I am funny, my blog is about how crazy funny my life is and how I make it all work and still try to teach my kids about God. I guess if I post something and it doesn't work or fit that's what they made the delete button for. I sure do overthink things too much!

So...on with the funny story because funny is what keeps me going. Grocery shopping with Megan

This is not an event I enjoy, but every week I seem to have to participate in the olympic mommy event. Mitch always was and still is a great shopping partner. To this day I would still choose him to go shopping with over Megan(sorry Meg) but today I had both of them with me. And today was like no other day and Megan is like no other girl who goes to the store, she wants it all and she is hungry!! This morning she even wanted the bananas! Everything I put into the cart should have to pass through Megan and be inspected by her before it is then passed to the large cart if she had her way. Then there is the free cookie. To Megan why get the free cookie when you could have a donut instead and they are just in the next case over and she doesn't understand that they don't count as free so that usually ticks her off and starts a tantrum that lasts throughout half of the store. The tantrum is going on while I am trying to shop and cross things off my list and I pass by other things she wants like, candy, cereal, chips, ice cream, gold fish, Christmas decorations. Once we get to the check out line she usually gets impatient there too and then things start flying OUT of the cart. Really this is not a fun time. Then we get home, I unload as fast as I can because she is now starving(even f I brought her snacks at the store and she did eat the free cookie)and she starts looking for the food we bought but I would not let her open. Oh, Megan! Really, if I could I would love to leave her at home but sometimes I just have to take her with me and when she has a 2 year old I will tell her this story and what an olympic event it was to take her to the grocery store.

6th file 6th pic

I got this idea from another bloggy friend...you are suppose to go into your picture files and post from your 6th pic file and the 6th picture. Mine is much more random than hers. This is Megan at the petting zoo that we went to around Easter. Cute. It was fun to anticipate what might pop up : )

Getting ready to Stamp it up!

I just did a whirl wind clean sweep of the house and am ready to have some girls over for a Stampin Up party tonight. My sister is a demonstrator so every so often we all get together, stamp, laugh and just generally have a good time. Right now the house is pretty much clean, the kids are sleeping/resting, the dishwasher is running and I could really use a few minutes of peace to regroup before everyone comes over tonight. The kids have been battling World War III all week over here so just a few minutes to myself is a blessing. I am really looking forward to seeing some of you! Till then...

Coffee Convert

I have to admit that I have become a coffee convert. I made it all the way through years of college and marriage to a man for 8 years who drinks a pot a day without touching the stuff until the last month. Oh, I could always enjoy a cup of decaf but lately the need for a little extra caffeine has lured me more than once to my husband's stash of very rich Gevalia coffee. I am on a new medication for my migraines and of course one of the side effects is extreme drowsiness. I take it at night so around 11am I find myself needing a pick me up before I go get Mitch from preschool. And now I know why all of the coffee drinkers out there buzz around...that stuff has kick! And you can put milk, creamer, sugar, honey, all sorts of stuff in it. Who knew you didn't have to drink it black and dark as night like my sweet husband likes it! All the possibilities!

Election Day 2008

So I will be the very last person to tell you to get out and vote today because if you don't know what today is all about then you have been hiding under a rock and I promise not to spout off my political views on my blog because I am a firm believer in the right to a secret ballot. Even my husband won't know for sure who I voted for until the election is over and done with. You see, one of my hopes and dreams is to raise my children in a world where we can all respect each others beliefs and not force our opinions down each others throats. It's a dream, and on this day that we elect many new people into office it's one that I hope we consider when we watch the polls come in tonight and tomorrow when the person that we voted for did or did not win because what matters most is that we have each other, our freedom, the right to vote and God loves us first.

Halloween Pics

Megan drawing a face on her pumpkin
Mitch dressed as Walle and ready to go Tick or Treating
He went out twice...once with Frank and again when our neighbor's grandson came over. We have a ton of candy! Megan absolutely refused to wear a costume but she did go out Trick or Treating when Mitch and his friend Anthony went out the second time. They had a great time and bounced around the house until the sugar rush ended around 9:30pm last night! Crazy kids!

Where I'll be tomorrow

My dad will have his well known watercolors and his

newly illustrated children's book

My sister will be selling her cards and I will have my bracelets for sale.

I hope to see some of you!

What a ride...

journey, trip, long haul, been there, done that, got the t-shirt!! I went in for my last post op check-up this afternoon and got a clean bill of health, FINALLY! I have been dealing with these female issues since April so it has been a long 6 months going back and forth from the doctors office to the hospital, laying on the couch, feeling like crud, being in pain, loosing weight on my throw-up diet, having surgery, recovery from surgery, getting sick after surgery, having complications after the surgery, and now almost 3 months later finally feeling better. Wow did that take forever. The great news is that I feel SO much better. I physically am back to 99.9% of the mom I want to be and can workout, walk the dogs, do all the things I use to do but mentally and hormonally I am still a mess. It's like a band aide that got ripped off a little too slowly and the pain still really hurts even though there really is no physical pain there. I'm not sure how long it will take to recover from this emotionally but day by day I try to work through my feeling and the crazy hormones. The only real relief I find is by doing yoga and praying, a lot. Both seem to calm my nerves and help with my patience. And I still need a lot of patience!

Patience

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy ... --Colossians 1:11, NLT

Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Everyone? Really?! I am having a hard time being patient lately so I thought I would post these more for myself to go back and look at over and over and over again.

Megan's first movie

My parent's and I took Megan to her very first movie in the theatre today. We all went and saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua. The kids have seen lots of previews for it on the Disney Channel and we were looking for someting fun to do today and I thought she was big enough to sit through a whole movie so we tried it. She did great and it was really cute. Both kids love dogs and there was enough catchy music to keep their interest most of the way(and we had popcorn and M and M's) that the 90 minutes went fairly quickly. We also saw lots of previews for some cute movies coming out around Christmas and now that I know she can sit through a movie maybe we can do this a little more often.

Fluid Shots

I took the kids early this morning to get their flu shots. We had to be out the door by 8am and barely made it and they both were really brave. Mitch called them "fluid shots" and spent the rest of the morning announcing to anyone we saw that he had just gotten he fluid shot! After our big morning getting shots I took them out for breakfast at Village Inn. I had never done that before, taken them out to a restaurant by myself other than fast food, but they did amazingly well and they ate a ton! Then we were off to Target for some shopping and spent a long time in the toys/Barbie aisles. Can you tell I was feeling really guilty for getting them shots, especially on Mitch's fall break? It all went better than expected and hopefully they will be safe from the "fluid" all winter! : )

Mitch's prayer

This was Mitch's prayer tonight

"Dear God

Please help Megan to not be so grouchy and to teach her manners.

Amen."

Whatever works I guess. I know He has a sense of humor.

My Dad's book is available for purchase

My Dad illustrated a book recently and it's now available for purchase. Read on for more info...

Now Available!!! Not Available in Stores!!! Limited Quantity Printed!!! Order Now!!!
“QUACK”
Written by Dick Schalhamer, Retired Golden High School Physics Teacher
And
Illustrated by Gene Youngmann, Retired Golden High School Drawing Teacher
and well known Colorado Watercolorist
The Story: After years of faithful service as a bathtub rubber duck, Quack is discarded by his family. Just at a point where he thinks his life as a duck is over, a turn of events tosses Quack into another world away from his bathtub home. His fate is still uncertain but his life is filled with a series of surprising adventures. Written for grade levels 3, 4 & 5.
Paper Back, size 8.5 x 11 inches
Available Two Ways!!!
Online from Xlibris Publishing
1-888-795-4274
http://www.xlibris.com/
Orders@xlibris.com
Retail Price is $15.99 + standard shipping of $5.60 for a Total $21.59
Or Buy
Directly from the Author or Illustrator
Gene Youngmann, gyoungmann@comcast.net
Price Only $13.50
Includes mailing and postage
Sorry no credit cards or pay-pal.
Or see www.youngmannwatercolors.com/events
For details about the 9th Annual Special Studio Sale
Buy Books directly from the Author & Illustrator on Sat. Nov. 1, 2008, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. =

If it could go wrong it did

Today was not a good day. I really don't think I have had a day like this in a month of Sundays and if I knew it was going to be this bad I would have turned the alarm off and gone back to bed first thing this morning. Too bad my alarm was Mitch at 6:15 going potty and being terribly noisy in the bathroom.

What went wrong?
Megan screamed the whole way through the grocery store
Megan screamed the whole way to and from my friend Steph's house(who I was taking dinner to)
Megan bit me while we were standing in the office of the preschool waiting for Mitch to go potty after school
Some weird guy flipped me off when I stopped behind a bus...random
I had to go to the doctor this afternoon because I had a migraine to get a shot to get (stupid) migraine to go away
My car alarm was going off when I came out of the grocery store to pick up my new Rx for my migraine

I think that's it. Phew! Oh and our little dog, Mazie had surgery yesterday to remove some cysts, lumps and bumps and the poor thing looks like a patchwork quit! I am just so stressed out. At least the day ended well and I got to have my monthly massage and my husband is so sweet he told me to go have dinner by my self and not to come home until at least 7:30!! And I did! But no I am ready for bed. Tomorrow has to be better, right?
e

Happy Birthday Frank!

Happy Birthday Frank! I hope today was great for you and I hope this is a much better year for all of us, you deserve it!

Love you!

Picking Pumpkins

Later in the day, after getting beautiful with our make-up, we went to Rock Creek Farms and picked some pumpkins. It was a beautiful day and we practically had the place to ourselves. Mitch walked all over the field looking for the "most perfect" pumpkin and Megan was "petting them"!! It was a great day and I got lots and lots of fun pictures.

Megan looking oh so cute!

Mitch with his perfect pumpkin

Me, Mitch and Megan

Megan walked up to this goat aka "oat" and said, "Hi oat, I Megan!"

Doing Make-up

Megan loves to put on make-up with me in the morning and today I was smart enough to get a few pictures.

Whirlwind

These last 2 days and the weekend have been really busy. Last Friday our TV died and that lead to a major room decorating project in our lower level and the spending of lost of money!$$ YIKES! Frank had his heart set on a front projection high definition something something and I couldn't talk him out of it so now our downstairs level looks like a small version of an AMC theatre. I think it's rather over the top but he LOVES it. I mean really, who needs to watch General Hospital and Dancing with the Stars in surround sound!! lol Plus they are absolutely huge and my fav...Steve Burton is more than life size now!
Other than that the kids and I have been enjoying fall, decorating the house for Halloween and this weekend I made a cute blanket for a MOPS friend who had a baby last weekend.

Megan checking out the roses today

Cute Kids

The kids have been really cute lately and just cracking me up with the silly things they say so I thought I would share a few of them. Some of Megan's new words...

lemonade...emenade
Princess Jasmine...Princess Jammas
Snow White...Snows White
Floss...Fossy

She doesn't say her "l's" and either drops them completely or replaces them with a "w" or "d" so there are lots of other cute things she says but of course I can't remember this late at night. We all say she's a real stitch though.

The best cute kid moment came this last weekend when I was putting sunscreen on Mitch and accidentally rubbed a little in his eyes and he got really mad at me and wouldn't talk to me until we stopped for gas on the way up to the mountains. I told him I was really sorry and it was just an accident. He said he forgave me but he was really mad because now he was never going to be able to see in the dark again because he got sunscreen in his eyes!! I laughed so hard I snorted and cried!!

Pics from our Stay-cation

We never went anywhere over the summer,vacation-wise that is, so this weekend we went on a first ever Wernlein family stay-cation. (It's a really cheesey term but we had a lot of fun) On Sat. we went to the Natural History Museum and got to see the new Dinosaur exhibit and on Sunday we drove up over Guennella pass, went hiking and saw some beautiful Fall color. Here are just a few pics from our weekend...

Checking out the dinosaurs!

Taking a hiking break

Me, Megan and Mitch resting near Clear Lake

No Halloween!

Actually is sounded more like "no more adoweeen!"

We went to Target tonight and Megan picked out the CUTEST Ariel costume to wear for Halloween but when we got home and I had her try it on I hardly got it over her head and she started shrieking. It was either too scratchy, too tight, too dark or just too...something. So, according to Megan "Too caries! No more adoween!". October should be an interesting month! I also will need to be making a trip back to Target to return Ariel.

4 year old theology

Since Mati passed away 2 weeks ago Mitch and I have had some very deep theological conversations about God, death and everlasting life. Kinda deep for a 4 year old, huh?! Kind of deep for this 30 year old mom! He's really cute about it though and today I heard him on the couch say, "Hi God, it's me Mitch, I'm just sitting here with my other dog Gordon. Could you please tell Mati hi for me. Okay, bye!" It was so cute and so heartbreaking because I miss Mati so much. I guess he really does understand more than I thought he did and Frank and I have been telling him he can talk to God when ever he needs to. I am glad I was there today to hear that moment he took to talk to God today on the couch and witness his faith growing.

First day of fall pics

We had a fun time playing in the leaves today and I got some really great pics of the kids...had to share!!

New pics and bracelets

Going on a Hike!

I took the kids hiking at Two Ponds Wildlife Refuge Friday and they had a great time. We saw lots of grasshoppers and butterflies and Megan and I sang silly songs about hiking the whole time.

Megan baking!

The new bracelets I made this week

6 weeks post op--already!

I had my 6 week post op check up today. Everything is coming along fine since my hysterectomy 6 weeks ago and I can't believe it has been that long already. I got the all clear to walk the dogs(short walks) and do housework again(darn it!!) but I still need to take it easy for another month so I don't aggravate my bladder sling and I have to go back for another check up in 5 weeks. It was all good news and I really do feel like I am getting back to normal again. I am wanting to do things that I haven't wanted or had the chance to do in months. Today I actually pulled out my beads and worked on some bracelets for the first time in 3 or 4 months, and last week I made some cards and scrapbooked. The house is also a lot cleaner and we all have clean clothes! What a concept! 2 months ago I didn't think I was going to make it and now I am looking forward to Fall, making Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving and all things Christmas. God is on my side and has been looking out for me. I just had a few bumps to get over before I could get on with my living.

Sister for sale

I'm not sure what's up with Megan but today that poem by Shel Silverstein Sister For Sale would have summed up mine and Mitch's day with her. Everything I did or Mitch did was not right according to Miss Megan and there was a lot of screaming and fits at our house today. I don't really want to sell her but I think Mitch might like to trade her in for a new model that doesn't harass him so much. She and I went to the library this morning and it was rather embarrassing and we only checked out 2 books before I sounded like a mother snake and took her out of there but before that I had a chiropractor appointment and she is usually pretty good when I take her with me but today she pushed the button for the bed while I was laying on it and I got a little ride. Oh Megan! Luckily my chiropractor has grandkids and was very patient with her. I know 2 only lasts so long and I am really liking 4 1/2 with Mitch but more days like this are going to wear me out! Time for a few pages of my book and then off to bed!
e

Staying home day

The kids and I love Mondays. We call them our staying home days. Usually we camp out in the morning in our pjs and if we have no where to go then I let them have a picnic breakfast while they watch their favorite shows and I get to read the paper and just chill for a while before getting started on the chores and the week in general. Today was an especially nice day..except for Miss Bossy!! But all in all we had a great time, watched some Curious George, took a walk, read some books, played hide and seek, painted and there were no major fits or tantrums.

Now they are in bed and I am not far behind because the rest of the week is busy!!

Books

So, I have been reading a lot lately. After my surgery I watched a ton of TV and the Olympics but quickly got tired of that so I returned to my old love of reading. In the last 3 weeks or so I think I have read 5 or 6 books. That is a ton for me and almost more than I have read in an entire 6 months! The best so far have been PS I love you and Songs of the Humpback Whale. I also read The Shack because all of my Christian mom friends said I HAD to and it was SO good but I hate to say I was disappointed and struggled to even finish it. Right now I picked up a new author, Maria de Los Santos and her book is called Love Walked in. So far so good. I am sure I will be done by next week.

I'm glad it's Friday and the week is about over. The stress of loosing Mati on Monday has Frank and I both worn out and I think we are both looking forward to some rest this weekend. The cooler weather has been nice and I am looking forward to fall. We've gotten into a nice routine around here now that Mitch is back in school and today I even helped in his classroom. He's really grown up over the summer and it was fun to see him in his new class and meet some of his new friends.

Till another day...
e

God's house

The house is real quiet today and I am amazed how many times I have looked around, counted dogs, or listened for Mati only to remember she's no longer here. My heart aches each time I think about it and when Frank took only 2 dogs bowls down to the garage this morning to feed our other 2 I had to look away. I'm amazed how much she was a part of our lives and how much I already miss her. Yesterday after Frank came home from the vet and we told Mitch about what had happened he looked at up and very innocently asked, " but who will drive her to God's house?" An innocent question but one neither Frank or I couldn't really answer. Frank told him Dr. Schaffer knew the way and what mattered was that God loved her very much and he would take care of her now and she would be with Him very soon. That was a good enough answer for Mitch but he was still thinking about it and later asked if Dr. Schaffer had to drive up a hill and around a corner to get there and were there a lot of right turns. He's such a funny kid and it lightened the mood for a moment. For now, it's quiet around here but, thankfully, I still have Mazie and Gordon to love on.

e

Goodbye our dear Matilda

Today our dear girl Matilda left us to go on to doggie heaven. For Frank and I it was the most heartbreaking, gut wrenching experience we've yet to go through. She was our first baby, together we picked her out 8 years ago almost to the day over Labor day weekend. She was a rolly poly puppy who instantly stole our hearts. She had so much energy that at about 4 or 6 months I had to start walking her twice a day just to wear her out. She chewed through everything and I remember the day I came home from Metro and found Frank's recliner askew in the middle of the living room with half of it chewed off. She was into everything at that stage and I lost many shoes, underwear and even a few books. The puppy grew up and mellowed and she turned into a loyal watch dog. She loved to sit in the front window or on the back porch and watch for anything that might come into her yard. Four years ago when we brought Mitch home she welcomed him and always made sure he was safe. When I got up to nurse him at night she was right there with me. Loyal till the very end. This summer was hard for the both of us but a month ago when I came home from the hospital she laid by my side of the bed night after night knowing I needed her companionship. I will miss her so much. Saying goodbye didn't seem like enough. But I knew it was time for her to go and not suffer any longer. I will miss her snoring at night, walking over her big speed bump body in the kitchen and just generally having her around. I love my dogs so much and I can hardly see through the tears to type anymore so I hope Mati is up in doggie heaven 0n our old maroon couch she loved so much and taking a big nap no longer in pain.

I love you old girl!!

Matilda

7/5/00 - 9/8/08

Back to school

Today was Mitch's first day back to preschool. He marched off like a pro to the 4/5 class and it was nice to have our old routine back. In the meantime Megan and I mad a mad dash back to my doctor because I have another bladder infection...post op problem. I feel like these are never ending. It was really rather comical though because this was so short notice that Megan had to go with me and of course I had to get undressed and be examined while she was in the room but the funny part came when the doctor was leaving and she pulled my underwear out from under my neatly folded jeans and said, "here Mommy!" Like, put these on already!! It was too funny and the doctor just smiled and quickly and politely left the room. All I could do was laugh. You can never take yourself too seriously when you have a 2 year old around.
e

Love, Mommy

Dear Mitch and Megan,

Thank you for the wonderful summer! I can hardly believe it is just about over and Mitch starts back to preschool on Thursday. We had so much fun and you both grew so much in the last 3 months. I love you both so much and thank for being so patient with me while I had an owie owie in my tummy and didn't feel well. I love your hugs and kisses and watching you play together. I look forward to the fall and all of the new things you both will learn and even more fun we can have together.

Love you,

Mommy

Wedding Memories...

Frank and I went to a wedding Friday night at the Chateaux...where we had our reception...and it was fun to go back and see how it had changed as well as relive some of the memories from that wonderful night. I remember being the bride that couldn't wait to get out on the dance floor and get her groove on. Unlike the wedding we were at where the dancing didn't start until 10pm!! I would have died! I was so happy to be marrying the man of my dreams I just wanted to party and have a good time! (really just wanted to dance and carry on like no one's business and luckily there isn't much video of that!) Of course we are older now and we left the wedding to come to check on one(Mitch) sick little one and then Megan and I got sick this weekend too. So not much more news to share. Mitch starts preschool this week so he is excited and we are looking forward to getting back into a routine around here.

Till then...

e

Nose in a book

I haven't been blogging much lately...instead I have been enjoying the cooler weather and this really great book I am reading. I really should ban myself from reading any more Jodi Picoult books because they are so addicting. For the past 3 days I have been reading during nap and before bed and just can't put this book down. I am reading Songs of the Humpback Whale and is is SO good. All of her books are good and rarely has there been one that I can't put down. Since my surgery though, I have been reading like crazy and this is the 4th book in in 2 weeks I have read. I am sure I will finish this one by tomorrow. Anyone can borrow it when I am done: )
e

I left the building!

I got out of the house today! TWICE!! This morning for my post op and tonight we made a small trip to Costco for Diapers(and a few other things). The post op went well. My doc said I could drive as long as I am not popping Percocet all day(and I am not) but I still need to wait another week to pick up Megan since she weighs almost 30lbs. I was pretty happy about that until I got in the car with Frank to go home. I looked at him and said something like...I can drive and Mitch can go with me but I guess Megan will have to stay home with the dogs! So I can go places but I just can't take the kids basically. Home bound for another week. I guess there could be worse things and at least I am feeling better than I have been all summer so that is a huge bonus. We'll just play more Barbies, Walle, cars and hang out outside. Oh and you can't forget watching the daily shows...Camp Rock, Curious George, Word World, Thomas, Chip and Dale and even some Olympics! Not in that order and definately not all in one day though!

Toodles for tonight.
e

Miss Bossy

When I was little there were these books that had little characters in them called Little Miss Sunshine, Little Miss Bossy and there were some Misters too...well my dear little 2 year old daughter has suddenly turned into Little Miss Bossy overnight!! She runs around the house making demands at Mitch and I or yelling "mine, mine, mine"! It really isn't pretty and I hope that this too shall pass. I know it will but, seriously??!! Yesterday Mitch and I were talking and he told me, "Mom, Megan's rules just are sensible!" I tried not to laugh but he said it so seriously. Frank thinks the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and she gets her bossiness from her mother. I don't think he's very funny: ) Two is just an interesting age and I know it won't last long so I just have to live in the moment and wish for a volume control on the "mine, mine, mine"!!
e

What a week!

I made it...one week post op and what a week it was. After my last post I ended up getting a stomach bug that knock me down for 3 days and I layed in bed or on the couch and was down for the count! It was not how I wanted to spend my recovery and it really made me mad but I survived and with the aid of some toast, Popsicles and crackers I am finally feeling better today.

Thank you, to each of you who have emailed, called, sent cards, brought over meals, sent flowers, cookies...the list goes on and you are all so sweet! God has truly blessed me with some wonderful friends and family. Next week will be the real test because Frank has to go back to work and I still can't pick up Megan or drive. Hmmm... Time to call in the troops: )

And Megan has been real creative lately. This morning she found scissors in my desk and did a little trimming of her bangs that called for immediate fixing from mom. It wasn't too bad and is actually more funny but now all scissors will be kept WAY up high!!

Have a good rainy afternoon.
e

Look who it is!

It's Tuesday and I feeling up to being up and about. That and I have watched enough Olympics and daytime TV that this non-athletic stay at home mom knows what an "ace" is in Beach Volleyball!! Surgery went well and I came home Saturday afternoon. It's only day 4(I think) after surgery and I think I am doing pretty well. More later. The little ones are getting restless....
e

Blogging off

This will be it for a while. Tomorrow is it...surgery day. The day I have been waiting for and also dreading. Thank you all for you emails, posts and calls. I hope to be able to check mail and my blog sometime next week but no promises. Much love to you all!!

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. --Psalm 73:24, NLT

Stressed

I really didn't think it was possible to be anymore stressed this week and then our vet called to let us know that she had the test results back from our dg, Mati's, X-Rays from last week and the tumor they found in the spring has gotten even larger and there is now a second one. Best case...she has about 6 weeks. It's a sad night around here and Frank and I are trying not to think about it but she is/was our first dog and we feel like we are loosing our first born and there is nothing we can do about it. It's very sad and heartbreaking.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. --Psalm 73:26, NLT

3 days and counting

Friday is going to be here before I know it and it is really stressing me out. I am trying to hold it all together and everyone says I look really good and seem pretty calm but if they only knew that I am freaking out and haven't slept well in days. I was in a lot of pain this afternoon which really confirmed for me that this is the right decision but the emotional part of this is really draining to me. I want to spend lots and lots of time with the kids this week before I am laid up again and unable to pick Megan up but I also have lots I need to get done...housework, bills, grocery shopping....and my mind won't stop the minute I lay down. I just want it to be Sunday morning, to be in my bed, have this over with and to be recovering at home. I think that's a little too much to ask for though and God usually wants me to have more patience and experience the tougher things so I can appreciate what I have been though. Darn it!!
Until tomorrow...
e

Pics from the weekend

Here are pics from Saturday at Heritage Square...

riding the train
Mitch the monkey pilot

Megan in her life vest before we went on the paddle boats

Me and Megan on the paddle boats

Newsy weekend

We had a really busy weekend with the kids and it didn't leave much time for blogging. Thursday we went to the ice cream social at the Zoo, Friday Frank took Mitch to the tractor pulls at the Adam's Cty Fair and Megan and I had a girl night and watched Camp Rock for only the gazillionth time, Sat. night we took the kids to Heritage Square and had a really fun time and yesterday after church I spent the afternoon with a good friend having lunch and shopping around Flatirons! Phew! So today we are having a staying home day, I am pooped, the house is kind of skuzzy and the kids just wanted to play outside. I have lots of pictures to share too.

Oh AND...my parents got back from Alaska last night. They have been gone for 12 days and goodness did I miss my mom! She and I usually chat everyday on the phone and we see them 2 or 3 times a week and 12 days was a long time! I missed my dad too but you know...I think Mitch missed him more: )

AND my sister and her husband got a new puppy! I think they are a little crazy because this is their 3rd dog but we have 3 dogs so who am I to talk!! LOL I guess I am just speaking from experience that 3 is A LOT of work!

That's it for today. Pictures will have to get posted later.
e

Happy what?!

Today is our 8th anniversary and I was super nice to Frank this morning, left him a note by his phone, made his coffee, brought it to him while he was still in bed yada yada and his idea of being cute was saying "Happy Holidays!" on the way out the door. I guess it really irked me because I have been in a real funk all morning and am just in no mood for that sort of thing KWIM?! Anyway...it's hot today! Baseball finished up for Mitch this morning and the kids and I all came home and had Popsicles and ice cream bars and have hid out in our ACed home all afternoon. Phew!
e

Great day out!

I had a really great day out this morning. A good friend's daughter has been babysitting for me this summer and she watched the kids while I went out and got a haircut and I also felt up to running some errands and just generally enjoying myself and the peace and quiet in the car. I just adore the woman who cuts my hair and we had a great time chatting away about this that and another and time spent with her seems to go too quickly and soon it was time for me to be off and on my way. This time I could face the day looking a whole like more polished and fuzzy around the edges. It was great to be out for awhile but real life quickly returned and now I am off to balance the checkbook and do laundry. Fun times!
e

Happy 100th Post!

Happy 100th post to me and to all my readers! Thank you to all of you who read my blog and validate my life by doing so: ) In my corner of cyberspace you all make me feel happy and loved! Cheers to my most faithful...Mom, Aunt Teri, Aunt Sue, Rita, Jill, Christina, Rachel, Monica..and if I left you out then you better leave me a comment or email so I know you are out there! Have a great night everyone!
e

Has it been a week?

The last week has gone by in a fog. On Tuesday I started not feeling well again and it started another long journey of doctors visits and ended with an endoscopy yesterday. The good news is that the endoscopy went well and ruled out any GI problems so I probably just had a bug this week that knocked me down for 3 days and am still having the recurring girl problems that will hopefully(all fingers and toes crossed) be resolved when I have my partial hysterectomy on Aug. 8th. The kids were little troopers this week going to doctors appts. with me and very thrilled to see my MIL more than usual this week and spend time at her house in the afternoon. I have no idea what I would have done without her because on Wed. my parents left for Alaska for 2 weeks. Today is a better day and I am thankful that the week is over and Megan slept in until 8:30 today.

On a different note...Megan had her 2 year check up yesterday and she marched right in to the doctors office like she was a professional, got weighed, measured, had her blood pressure taken and then made a sharp left out the door when we were done and headed for the EXIT!! It was so cute! She was not thrilled when we headed her off at the pass and made her wait for the doctor. She is a perfectly healthy 2 year old and brother Mitch went with us and was very concerned about the number of shots she was going to get. She only had to get one this time and he made doubly sure that was the correct number and that she got a sticker. : )

e

Happy Birthday Megan

Dear Megan,
Happy second birthday my sweet girl! I hope this year brings you lots of joy and fun. I look forward to each day we spend together. You are our cautious adventurer, full of fun and laughter. Today, on your second birthday we shared donuts together, went to the Butterfly Pavilion and at home you cooked me "bery hot" hot dogs in your new kitchen.
Lots of love Birthday girl!
Love, Mommy

An answer and a plan

After feeling gross for about 4 weeks, getting to know my McStemy Doctor pretty well, a visit to the ER and 3 different gynecologists I have finally decided, along with Frank and the last gynecologist today, that I will be having a partial hysterectomy in the next 2 weeks. This, I hope, will relieve my pain and suffering and I can be the mommy my kids need and I want to be. Since getting out of the ER on Sunday I have been praying that God just lead me in the right direction and surely this all must be happening for some reason. Maybe it is teaching me patience, to be more tolerant, or to just enjoy the simple things. Whichever, I am thankful for the two children I have because after this surgery they will be all I get. And now it's time to go play spaceship with them!!
e

Still Gross

I am still feeling pretty gross. I ended up going to the ER on Sunday because I spent the weekend praying to the royal porcelin god and got pretty dehydrated and was in need of more care then Frank could give on the weekend. I hate going to the ER but I made it through and today I am going to a different gyno for a second opinion about this cyst and my current yucky state of health : (



I did watch a good movie this morning...Dan in Real Life...I was expecting more of a comedy with Steve Carrell but it was cute and almost more of a chick flick.

A little update

I haven't felt very bloggy lately. The kids and I love to watch Hannah Montana and there is a line in one of the shows where Hannah's friend Lily says "I am sicker than a possum in a possum hospital y'all"!! And that's kind of how I feel lately. Minus the hospital part but you know, y'all. This just hasn't been a good summer for me and I had another ultrasound yesterday and they found another ovarian cyst and lots and lots of fluid in my abdomen. I am really frustrated and pretty depressed about it. I go to the gyno tomorrow in hopes of hearing something that will make me feel better. This just seems so unfair to the kids. Mitch has asked me many times over the summer why I am sick all the time and why I go to the doctor so much. It breaks my heart and today at lunch I just cried and could really even eat. I know God must have some reason for it but I feel like I am just surviving and not getting to enjoy a really fun summer with the kids. Not a great night...better end here and head off to bed.
e

How the Youngmann/Wernlein's Celebrate the 4th!

Just a few pics from the family water fight yesterday...

"I'm so cute and I am having so much fun!"

The men in their cheesey party shirts and grins!

Frank, Phil, Mitch and my dad

Don't we look like we are on a tropical island?