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