Ok... hello friends, here I am a week later... sorry for no blogs recently, it was a living nightmare while Jer was in the Urkraine, SO SO SO glad he is home now!!!
Just to inform some of you what did happen last week... well Mitchel's bike was stolen sometime on Wednesday between the hour of 2pm-3pm, I honestly at the time just blew it off thinking "oh some kid borrowed it and will return it" and Mitchel was persistant that "no mom i just rode it, someone really did take it" so I said lets wait awhile and we will see if it shows up, at the time I thought it was the right thing to do... well Thursday afternoon while Mitchel and Blade and I ran into Dbq. to do some school shopping, a quick trip... Issac went to the pool with his grandma Miller and friends, well after the pool... they came here thinking Issac wanted to come to the farm, so in the meantime while they are waiting for Issac, a neighbor of ours comes running into our apt. building looking for Mitchel or I... just so happened Jer's mom was still here... they told her that Mitchel's bike is across town, they found it but it was being spray painted as they were talking... so graciously my mother inlaw hops all the kids in the van and drives across town to approach this situation... WOW!!!! just stunned! So as she is pulling up, she told me that there were several boys sitting around watching this 18yr. old boy spray paint her grandson's bike... she gets out of the van and kindly says to the boy "this is my grandson's bike... what are you doing?" The boy looked at her and said "well I bought it from my brother", so Jer's mom has the 18yr old go get the "brother" who sold him the bike... a little 8yr old comes out of the apt. complex where this was taking place at... she was just stunned! So she decides to take the bike and put it in her van, comes back across town to locate a police officer... WOW what a run around for her... no one was at COP SHOP, so she proceeds to go to the new "cheif's house"... no one home... so then her next move is off to the other officer who lives in town... finally she gets to talk to a police officer... he was just going on duty but was still in his "street clothes"... makes no sense but whatever!
So anyhow this particular officer is "difficult" to deal with just on a "normal day"... so she was in for a "treat"... so he tells my mother inlaw that she will need to fill out a "report" and then he will go talk to the other party and be in contact with Mitchel and myself, but my mother inlaw said she could tell just by the officers body language and attitude he had with her he didn't want to "deal" with this issue... what a COP huh?
So in the meantime after the report is made, Donna had called my cell phone but I had left it in the truck while I ran into Shopko with Mitchel and Blade quick... so I called her back just thinking it was something on the lines of Issac going to the farm for awhile... oh no! She filled me in on the "story"... after she realized that I had no clue what she was talking about since I had just 20 mins. ago talked with Issac, so anyhow she filled me in on the story and told me that this "cop" would be calling me to see when we could meet him when we got back to town, she sounded all "frazzled" and felt very bad for Mitchel and proceeded to tell me the "WHOLE" story while we were pulling into our last stop for errands... my heart seriously dropped to the ground when she told me what "just happened" and how there was no one around in town to help her handle this situation 'on the spot'... what kind of law enforcement or protection do we have in this town? I want you to all realize this is so unlike Jer's mom to take a situation like this and go to authority on it... so I know this is how upset and bothered she was by it, just count my blessings she was in the right place at the right time!!!!
So we ran into Walmart very quickly and got our things there... and my phone is in the process of dying so I needed to run out to US Celluar to get a "car charger" for my phone since I recently got a different phone and didn't want my phone going dead before we got home, so as I am in US Cell... the COP called me, asked me when we could meet... I told him I would be back to town in about 1/2 hour... so as we pull up, we run our things inside quick, come out to look at the "damaged" bike... I was very emotional and shaking... I was so upset just looking at the bike!!! So as we are waiing for the COP to come... I in the meantime called a good neighbor of mine to come over since her son and Mitchel are good bud and thought her son had told her the situation... but no I ended up telling her... so she dropped everything and came to be at my side while the COP came over... so all I have to say is this about the "COP" situation... it was completely riduculously insanely handled so WRONG!!!!, too many details to type in this blog but point blank ... he wanted me to "shove this problem under the rug" and move on... simply because the other involved didn't understand "ownership"... well HELLO... that is not my kids nor my problem... and if they "stated" that they "borrowed" the bike but what justifies them spraypainting it?
So anyhow after the COP left us for awhile to go back and talk to the other party involved... in the meantime... a shitload of people in the apt. area... starting coming out of the woodwork, I swear... we were surrounded by certain indivuals living in this area... walked down by our vehicles where Blade was and another group of them walked towards my way... dont want to be racist but god damn... WHY do they have to make you feel intimidated... they all stuck around until the COP came back then they all filtered out... so they were all aware of the "situation"... so then the COP comes back with the two boys and it was just a flippin joke... he had the two boys apologize to Mitchel and gave him his "broken brakes and peices... that they had stated in their statement, they 'took them off'.... no they were VERY MUCH BROKEN OFF!!! I hated how this COP made me feel like shit for proceeding with charges and restitution on this matter... well crisps... the bike was only 67 days old and was destroyed! if any other person in this community would of done something like this... this COP would of been a hard ass like he should of been to these kids... but no he was a "good guy"... PISSES ME OFF!!!! GHAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So anyhow... did anything become of this issue yet... NO... I was to talk to the cheif on Friday... well the COP that handled our case told me that the cheif would be working on Friday... stopped 3x's at the station... finally asked the city clerk if the cheif was around... nope he was a a "personal day" I was NOW steaming since I was told by the ASSHOLE COP he would be on duty... so today I call down to talk to him... NOPE he's gone yet! By tomorrow if nothing is done, I will dig deeper into this and go to the BIG DOGS... I dont want to be the "bad" person either but damn it... they hurt my kid's feelings as well as his property... and its going to take a long time before Mitchel can let go what happened to him, as well as all of us who were involved, ya know? All I want is restitution... if I can get that without charges being pressed that is how we will handle it. Just so damn frustrating we live in a small town and we are supposed to feel safe here... I no longer feel that now...I couldn't even stay here in the apt that night feeling safe and WOW thats a feeling I had to hide from my kids, just didn't want to be here without Jer. How these certain people around me that live in these apts. made me feel... was INFERIOR!!! So the boys and I packed it up and stayed at my parents until Jer got back from his trip. So since this whole deal... I REALLY WANT TO GET IN THE HOUSE NOW!!!!! I mean MORE NOW than EVER!!!! Just hope things can really happen this week and next. Our main interior contractor has been helping Jer ALOT by being in contact with other contractors to line up scheduling and getting things done.
So I blogged enough in this blog... I'll start another one soon :) Just filling some of you in on why I haven't blogged in a WEEK... WOW!!!

Well its August... WOW summer is flying by, offically getting closer to school... like 23 days away.... feel bad for the boys, and I dont want them to go back yet. We haven't got the house done, we dont have all our little trips done yet, and definately not in the mood to go school shopping yet... but anyhow today I made all their physical appointments so guess I have to let them go back soon... was just hoping by a long shot we would be in the house by this new school year... O well life goes on for the Millers.
So today was a day full of excitement, my dad, I and MItchel and his friend, Quinton worked at the house for some of the day in this heat... but was not too bad since the air is running upstairs but it was still a little warm. We dug into the staircase walls by our open staircase and took it all down so it could be rehung with new cal board... what a job but a good job done, I think in the long run we will be happier we did do it... although I still think it would of been ok plastered over... but what do I know?
I appreciated my dad helping me out today, it really meant a lot!! Mitchel and Quinton worked really hard helping us dump the garbage into the dumpster to keep the process going. We stopped for lunch and went to Subway, then back to the grind for some more, I was happy with the progress we were all done by 2pm.
While I was at the house, ran into a little snag with a plastering contractor that we had talked to... for some reason he thought he "had the job" well not sure how he thought that since for starters never quoted the job out to us, never set a time frame for when he was available and so on... that was quite a bombshell dropped on me, so anyhow... talking to our current plastering guy again today, informs me again... we are 3 HOUSES down on his list, so may turn out we go with this other guy if he gets us a quote... ya know? FRUSTRATING!
Well boys are good, Issac watched Blade today while I worked on the house, he did rather well with him today, I was impressed!! even changed a dirty diaper, he could work on keeping his messes under control but it was all manageable.
Tonight was CRIME NITE OUT in Cascade, the boys went down to the festivities, I stayed here with Blade since he was napping late in the day and I was hot and tired from working at the house and I didn't feel too well when I got home, not sure what it was. So interesting rain we got tonight too... hopefully that will cool it off here for a few days... WISHFUL thinking I know.
So as far as my WW is going, I did well today... BACK on TRACK :) except for the few skittles I ate from the bag:( those little perks are needed once in awhile.
So as you all know Jer is in Russia this week, HI JER!!!! Got confirmation about 7am on my cell that he made it there, the annoying beep on my phone kept going off until I accepted the message, but I was happy to wake up to that :) So I was quite sucessful with this CRAPPY day but VERY happy with all that I got accomplished... house duties, cleaning, laundry, and being a mom :)
Just a kinda draggy day, think I am just tired of sitting on where we are at with this house project and this 2 bedroom apt. living is really starting to suck the BIG one... but life goes on and better days ahead!
Until I blog again... please say a prayer or two for my W.W. to stay on track and for a safe return for Jer to come home!!!!!

Did it again...forgot the picture to my blog... WHOOPS!!!

Weekend here and gone already, was filled with a friend's wedding, and a friends birthday party... along with getting some work done up at the house, where does the time go?
Well for today just a normal Monday, catching up from the weekend and Jer left today for Russia. He will be gone for the whole week and returns late Saturday night. Wishing he was home already. Tonight after I returned from taking Jer to CR it was a interesting night, I ran up to the house since Billy needed pictures of the electrical to pull some wires out that got covered by the wallboard, he was waiting for Dustin to come back with kitchen layout so they could get things pulled thru and change things around a little, this was all good... talked with Dustin about a few things since the "plastering guys" said they would be at our house this week starting today... then it turned into tomorrow... no big deal right? So Dustin had all good intentions of working tonight but now he has ALL week to get things done. Well I called the guy to touch base and to see if he could meet up with Dustin tomorrow about a few things... WOW what a huge load DUMPED on me tonight... he said that it was TOO HOT at the house, the AC was not keeping the house cool enough so they are moving on to their next job...WHATEVER it was cooled off up there tonight... and then he also continued to mention we are now 3 houses down on the list now since we weren't ready ... ARGH!!!! so it could be next week or mid August before they start now... I was PO'd!!!! So I flat out said to him, well we may need to find another option then... and he got all defensive, then he proceeded to tell me what needed to be done before they could come... just nit picking at dumb crap! FRUSTRATED... sorry!!!!!!!!!!!! I was completely steaming MAD!! So then I went back up to the house to give Dustin, the plastering guys cell #... and to point out a few more things that needed to be done, all good with Dustin, just hope he can get it done this week! The big thing that was decided tonight was redoing the existing staircase wall... well Dustin is going to redo it this week and get it done...so I was told, just really hope something gets done this week, I am to the end of my "tail" on this project... I'm going to completely loose it pretty soon :(
So anyhow boys are doing good! Mitchel went to his first Dyersville soccer practice tonight with a carpool so that helped me out a TON! Issac went off to the pool with Jake tonight, he was actually excited about going swimming for once... I was shocked! Blade played outside in the "mud area" by the apartment building... he was so cute dirty! He wouldn't let me take a picture of him so... this is the best I could do, and as I am taking this picture he says "Im a geek"... new word for him? not sure but first time I EVER heard him say that and I died laughing!
All the laundry got done today, I think I have a load or two to pick up at Billy's tomorrow but then I am done for a day ... isn't that how it goes? Its a job that never ends!!!!
Not sure what the week will bring for me... hope it goes smoothy and I can get a lot done here at the apartment like last week and make more decisions on the house... cuz there is a enough of those to do yet! May take the boys to start school shopping this week... only 24 days until school starts... and looks like we wont be in the house by then but hopefully sometime soon after that :)
So until I blog again, I wish you all a good week and stop in to see the house if you are in town!! it likes visitors :)

Well today is Thursday... WOW been awhile since I last blogged... not a whole has happened this week. Lets start with today...
well tonight was WW... I lost another 1.8lbs, I was happy with that considering we were on vacation and with the fair and had not been too good lately... so I will take that instead of a gain... but I need to crack the whip and get serious!!
So besides WW day, it was an productive day, I got A LOT done today, almost all the laundry caught up from our trip and got a TON of cleaning done as well... I can see the closet in our room again so that is HUGE PLUS!!!! I am starting to wean out the clothes that are too big and boxing them up... I need to now do that in the boys room tomorrow and go thru their stuff... Mitchel has GROWN alot this summer, he is as almost as tall as me... and my shoes no longer fit him.
So I was very happy how much I got done today and hopefully I can finish it up in the am tomorrow and enjoy the rest of the day with the boys.
Tuesday and Wednesday was cleaning days as well... yesterday the boys and I went to the house and Jer's brother Eric was there already doing a TON... we got the whole place pretty much cleaned out for Mr. Plaster guy who is being very picky about everything ... (with things being out of his way) which is fine but geesh enuf already... crisps!! Then he also informs me that once they get started... they dont like anyone coming thru the house... well guess what? thats not going to happen... its our house I can go in if I want and besides... ain't we paying this guy? or WOW!!!! just was frustrating when he was there yesterday telling us all the things we had to do and the things that had to be fixed... its not like we didn't know what had to be done... I felt like I was at grade school again... JEESH!!! So this will be interesting having him there the next few weeks after he gets started. As Jer's brother would say "he's never met someone who is so lazy" and that is what it all comes back to about this guy. Dont mean to complain but we just had it so good there with our brickers... got in and got out with the job and were so efficent and very easy to work with.
So yesterday being at the house I got LOTS of ideas stirring in my head... not sure if its a good or bad thing yet... I really have BOLD colors picked out so far but I am not set on them all yet but getting close... its nerve racking! I'm excited and nervous all at once now that its becoming a house inside, it was a BIG deal to have the electrical all done and when the lights came on it was AWESOME but now there are actual walls up and plastering is going to happen soon. I still dont get my hopes up about being in it anytime soon... cuz crap there is a lot to be done yet but its coming together. Oh and the other big news for the week at the house... the DOORS got put in!!!! finally!!!!!!!!!!!! and they were working on the AC for the main floor today.
So this weekend is booked to the hill and back... we have a wedding Saturday, tomorrow we are going to get some stuff done here and at the house... possibly go see a movie... Sunday we may just relax depending on whats going on. Next week looks crazy... soccer 4 nights next week... and Jer will be in Russia... very LONG week!!!

So sorry if this blog dragged the big one but... I am exhausted and need to finish up some bills yet.

Well back to reality today... livin the good life in Cascade again... the whole cleaning, laundry, running errands, and all the ordinary BS of everyday life... today was just an ordinary Monday, trying to get caught up from over the weekend and catching up from the trip yet... so yes I am almost there, a few more loads of laundry to do and I should be good for awhile. However I am going to start cleaning out closets and just getting rid of stuff before we move to the house from this tiny apt. to our HUGE house... wow that is such a nice thought... just need to keep that with me when the days here continue to suck... but anyhow its getting closer to reality of living in our house which is a GREAT feeling.
Today I had run some errands after I had Blade checked out at the dr., he had fallen off a swing last night with Aunt Lisa and was complaining this am that his hand hurt so we just got it checked out to be on the safe side... and everything looked fine, just a little tender from the bruising but should heal ok. So we went up to the house after the dr. appt and the PLASTERING guy was there :) that was exciting too see... but disappointing not to see Scott's crew there to finish up the little they have left to do... but our doors were delievered sometime today so hopefully they will come tomorrow.
So tonight was a BIG night for Issac... he is getting a new dirtbike... a step up from what he had, so he can start training for "racing" scary thought but I know its important to him and just feel we owe it to him since Mitchel has his thing with soccer and Issac really isn't into any sport... so HUGE deal tonight. We sold his other bike to his Uncle Skye so that helped with the cost of the new one, it all seems to work out well. Uncle Kevin, Jer and Issac went to get it tonight after we had pizza at Pizza Hut... Issac was so excited he didn't eat much and Jer said Issac was just "gleaming" when I talked to him on the phone... so its exciting!!!!!
I dont have much else to share today, except its my dear friend, MEL'S BIG 30th BDAY today!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIE!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope you had a wonderful day!!!!!

Take Care, hope you are all well!

Wow what a weekend... its been completely crazy since we got home, but its the way I like it... complete CHAOS :) Thursday night after we got home I left shortly after and was off with some of my girlfriends to ERIC CHURCH/BRAD PAISELY concert at the fair, it was a WONDERFUL time, it was great seeing the girls again!! We had 3rd row center seats... and quite the veiw... Brad was HOT!!!! I thank my girls for a great night... sorry I was tired but had a hell of a good time!!! Here I come to find out later in the evening... Jerry (a good friend of ours) meets in him in person giving him internet service and not having a clue who he was... gosh I wish I could of helped him with his internet and met him!!!!!
So for Friday, was crazy too... Mitchel had an orthodonist appt in the am, he got a metal bar put in by his lower teeth so they can expand for his permanent teeth that will be coming in.... looked mighty painful but Mitchel was a trooper and said it didn't even hurt when I asked him, he just stated that the glue they used tasted awful. So after Mitchel's appt we went and ran some quick errands and headed for home, I got some little things done here in the afternoon but NOT enough!! Before I knew it was 4pm and I needed to be in DBQ again by 5... I was going to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure before I met up with Jer for the evening, we were going to go pick out a refrigerator and bathroom faucets, we figured it all out and will get them ordered this week thru the plumber and the appliance guy :)
Then Saturday came... there were sidewalk sales downtown so I went to check them out, I ran into Abby... it was great seeing her again!!! I missed you girl!!! So then I talked to Diane, she confirmed that going to the concert (Montgomery Gentry) wasn't going to work out for her so I had an open seat to fill... I called Ms. Jenn Supple Nadeu :) she wasn't sure at the time since of a possible commitment but it had turned out it worked for her to go... YEAH!!!!!!!! So I was off to my cousins daughter's wedding for the afternoon and Jer worked at a cafe in DBQ while I went to the wedding so he could get "caught up" It was a nice wedding, all my dad's brothers and sisters were there except my one uncle who just had his leg amputated... and saw all of my cousins again was a true treat... they all seem to pick on me the most... JEESH!!! I guess thats what you get when you are the youngest grandchild... right? So after the wedding we rush home, I change clothes and Jer takes the boys to get a bite for supper and then we are off to the fair... Jer was so kind he drove me and the girls over to the fair so we could all have a good time and drink... I was so excited about seeing this concert tonight and having Lisa and Jenn there was GREAT too... it was RIOT... my cheeks hurt so bad from the laughing, I really had a great time! The concert was AWESOME!!!!! We had front row seats tonight for this concert... they like stood right in front of us, oh it was great!!!! So at one point I gave Lisa my ticket so she could go her daughter Bridget... wow I didn't even recognize her... she is really growing up into a fine young lady... she is such a DOLL!!!! It was nice having young blood in the audience with us!!
After the concert was over we all headed towards the way of the beer garden, we ran into Jason... went and used up our beer tickets so we could be off to home after awhile, well here I suggest to Jason to doing the BUNGE JUMP with Jenn since I knew she said she was up for it earlier in the night... so off the two go to get in line, I was SO EXCITED for them two!!!! almost so much that I agreed to going and doing it too but Jer said "no"... prolly a good thing too since I had drank quite a few tonight and its been over a month since I last drank due to W.W. and said that I was not going to drink until my 10% was lost... so last night was the night I drank but NO MORE until I am where I need to be. So thanks to Jer for making the night possible... I hope the girls had a good time too!!!!! Jenn, you are a HOOT!!!! Thanks for the straight faces, we will get you to smile next time :) way to go girl about working on the guard :) too funny!!!!!!! We need to get you out more... its my goal in life after this house is complete, even if its just a shopping day :)
So today was the DAY... DEMO DERBY day..." Jer's old beaut" the grey lumina... was in the Monticello Demo Derby, his brother Eric drove it.... HOW FUN was it to watch!!!!!! Eric put a lot of time and energy to fixing this car up, he really should of won "best of the show"... but anyhow he did an amazing job putting it together and driving it! My boys were SO PROUD of their uncle, and when he came out on the track with it... he had a smoke stack on the front hood and just had it smokin'... into the grandstands... IT WAS COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!!! Mitchel and Issac were in their glory, as well as Jer and his brothers and all the spouses, it was SO COOL!!!!! Anyhow Eric did well, he made it on the first round and off to the "final competion" The car handled it well, Eric said that he had the AC on the whole time as well as the radio... which is TOO funny!!! Overall Eric ended up getting 9th place, which I hope he was happy with, he drove it well and maintained himself very well, we are all SO proud of him!!! So tonight there was a Miller family reunion at Jer's parents... all the aunts and uncles, cousins... everyone. We pulled in the yard and instantly walked over to "the old beaut" and Issac sat in it first and then Jer's brother, Skye jumped into it and started her up... we all laughed!!! So then I said to Jer... "get in" so off Jer goes to get in his car for one last time... started her up, blasted the radio... AC on... and drove it maybe 2ft for one last time... it was a classic!!!! I dont have a picture of that here but I will post it when I get it off the camera.... true classic!!!!! I'm going to frame the picture for our "bar" in the basement... for memories:) the moment was priceless!!!
Anyhow this blog is getting LONG... Sorry I apologize again!!!!!! bad tendencies!!!!!

Until I blog again... Iowa is HOT!!!!! Hope it cools off soon!!!!

Whoops... forgot to upload these pictures with the blog... TIRED... can you tell?

Well here we are on our way home ... we are currently in Kearney, Nebraska. We left Denver about 3ish after going to meet some of Jer's co-workers and boss, and showed the kids where he was going when he came out here for work... Met up with all the people Jer talks about so now I can relate faces to them when he talks about them... ran into Andre' as well, its always a pleasure seeing him since he is so good to Jer! So after going to see where Jer works and meeting people we were off to lunch, the boys picked destination today, we went to ESPN to eat, pretty cool place, we sat next to the arcade and kids played some games and had a good time, then after lunch we got some shopping in before we took off, its not a Denver trip if I dont get my "homemade candle" these candles are AWESOME!!!! The only other thing I was looking for was a italian charm for my bracelet... I was SO happy when I found one :) puts a memory on my bracelet as well as a sounveir from the trip, corney I know but the bracelet means a lot to me!! Issac got this APE HAT, its so cute its funny... as you can see in the picture Blade loved hugging him... its was a HOOT!
So off on the road to home we were... boys rode very well!! Its just amazing to me how well Blade travels, there was only one time that him and Issac had a little "falling out" but then it was all ok. Blade went all day without a nap and was in a SUPER good mood all day, he is just incredible!! Its like 1030ish and he is still awake:) He rides better than his older boys sometime... jeesh :)
So funny things on the way home... when we made a "bathroom stop" we saw TOTALLY HIPSTERS... it was great! I mean the bus, the clothing, the hair... the walk... and even the keg in the bus storage... it was so funny to see, check out the picture... Jer drove away too soon to catch the keg in the picture... but seriously it was like it was out of the 70's, it was neat for th boys to see!
So on our way we watched more of the GILLMORE GIRLS... I just love the show!!!
So lots of thoughts today... wondering how things are back at home, my parents, how much got done at our house, how BUZZ, the cat made out in the garage without us, all our friends and family. The thing I didn't miss at all was the apt. living... not looking forward to going home to that at all but I just have to think... not much longer and it will be worth the wait of getting the house done... its just hard! Happy thoughts thou!!! This vacation was incredible!! the whole thing!!! I am so glad the boys had a great time doing all the fun things they got to do, and hopefully the summer will not go too fast once we get home.
Looking forward to tomorrow night... I am going to the "BRAD PAISELY" concert with some of my girlfriends... I just hope we get home at a reasonable time for me to get ready and to be off again... feel bad just getting home and then leaving again... WOW we will be home tommorrow already... time flies but I am looking forward to seeing home again and life outside of the Highlander for awhile :)

Hope this finds everyone well!!

WOW another great day of vacation world :) The boys and I ventured off to SIX FLAGS while Jer went off to work for the day. The boys were incredibly great today, we rode in a taxi to the park, it was funny because Blade just thought it was great that we were in a taxi... its the little things in life I guess, so we get to the park about 11ish and boys kinda mapped their day of what they wanted to do, we all got on the ferris wheel together, the ride of eternity I swear... So after the first ride I allowed the older boys to go check out the rides near by while I took Blade on rides he could do, our whole plan worked out perfectly, then we were off to lunch... WOW... $61 for lunch... crazy but oh well I guess.
After lunch we went the direction of the older boys rides and walked around while Mitchel and Issac went on rides, Blade was SO GOOD, he is such a trooper! We did go see the Japenese Acrobats, that show was AMAZING, I absolutely loved it!!! I was shocked the boys even liked it since I wasn't sure how they would be during it but so glad we took the time for the show it was SO worth it!!
So Blade's favorite ride was the "SEMI's"... he would get on, get off and get on ... at one point he just wouldn't get off because he knew the drill... too funny but I made him still get off even when he didn't want to because he knew he could just get back on... anyhow the little kids rides lines were a breeze, hardly any wait at all which was nice, and from what I saw when waiting for MItchel and Issac they didn't have to wait very long either... so it was all good!!
Later on in the afternoon Blade was getting tired so while Mitchel and Issac did some more rides we hung out at a bench in the shady area and chilled, Blade was laying on the bench all comfy and then he just perks up and says "lets go to semi's"... TOO CUTE!!! so we waited for the boys to finish their ride and we were off to Blade's section of the park, Issac decides he is going to go on a few rides with Blade, which Blade was VERY HAPPY about!! Not long after being over in this area Jer is here at the park... the older boys went off with him and I stayed with Blade, let him do a few more rides while Jer was off with the boys. We all meet up for a bit and I call it a day at the park so Blade and I went to get a taxi and headed back to the hotel, the boys and Jer stayed behind at the park to spend some more time there. Blade got his nap in, and I napped a little bit, called home to check in with mom to see how things were there... sounds like Cascade got rain last night and everything was good. Sad to hear Mitchel is missing the tractor pull with my dad tomorrow night... think my dad was a little disappointed:( but their will be plenty more pulls coming up.
So tonight we were off to the OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY for supper, the kids were excited about going there since we didn't get a chance to go there on our last trip here... we all had spaghetti of course... it ROCKED... so yummy!!!! Yep totally crashed in on my WW plan... but back on track when we get home and lots of exercising until my bones hurt!!!! to work it all off!
So its been a VERY long day and I'm ready to crash, hope you are all well!!! Can't wait to see home again:)

Well today was a good day, our cabin stay ended today ... The boys and I spent the day hanging out at the cabin, I had to clean it up and wash bedding and get our laundry done before we came into Denver for the next few days. It was sad to go but I look forward to being in Denver the next few days while Jer does his thing...
This is where we stayed up until now, it was WONDERFUL!!!! I am so appreciative to Jer's friend for letting us use his cabin, it was incredible! It was a very relaxed trip!! I could come here anytime... it beats the 2 bedroom apt. living we got going on right now but in time we will be in our new house :)
Check out the cabin... it was AMAZING!!!

http://www.breckrbo.com/property/4271/

So tonight we packed up the Higlander and came into Denver, we will stay here for the rest of our trip... We took the kids to Casa Bonita's tonight... what a COOL and FUN place for the kids! They loved it... the food was ok but the entertainment made up for all of that. Its an experience you won't forget! If you ever get the chance to go there... DO IT!! The boys were amazed by the high diver, it was COOL! We got a "jail photo" done... its quite funny but its a memory that wont be forgotten :)

So after supper and entertainment we headed to our hotel, we are at a Holiday Inn close to 16th St. (which is the main strip) and its within walking distance to PING so its all good. Tomorrow I am venturing off with the boys to SIX FLAGS, hope it goes smoothly, kinda nervous since the older boys will be going on rides themselves, and I will wait for them with Blade... just hope there is enough for Blade to ride and do as well... just worry that Blade may get upset when the boys go off onto a ride and he can't go... hopefully it will go smoothly.
So here we are at the hotel now... quite the change from a TON of beds to two beds... interesting change :) can't have it all, right? Kids are wound for sound... geesh! hopefully they will mellow out soon and get some sleep, LONG day ahead tomorrow.
Hope you are all well back at home, think of you often!!

This is the amazing Blade... who laughed and giggled along with screams of happiness on his joy ride :)
He absolutely LOVED IT!!!

What a great day!!! We ventured off to Vail, CO today and spent the day as a family... boys were a little disappointed no biking was done today but we did many other things... we went into Vale, walked around for awhile and went up the Gondala... had lunch at the top, hung out at the top for awhile, blade did the "trampoline" (I will post this in another blog since I past my limit today) It was so cute, he laughed and screamed the whole time:) Vail is a very COOL town, didn't spend a lot of time there but from what we did, I could spend a day or two there... the whole atmosphere was unique.
After Vail, we ventured off to Meeker CO, to see our good friends Marty and Kris, it was about a two hour drive but the scenery was enjoying... kids were very good too! So we got to their place, their little town, the town reminds me of Cascade but in a different way... seems smaller but its because of its setting. Their house is very very cute! Nice and big for them, so I think it will all be good for them. Kris seems to be settling in well, Marty was sick the way out here and seems to be doing ok now but this is going to be a HUGE change for them, but all good! They can finally be newlyweds and live together so I am very happy for them!! Marty will be fine after adjusting to his new life, they will both be missed by many people back at home. Hopefully we can come see them again soon!!
So not going to blog a bunch today, its been a LONG day... didn't sleep well last night and its catching up to me quick... also I ate BAD tonight so feeling very very quilty :(

Hope you are all well!!

Sending snow to Iowa from CO... boys were so excited to see snow in the mountains :) So I wanted to post this picture for you to enjoy!

Hello Friends :)
We had a great Saturday in Breckenridge CO today!! Jer spent most of the day with the older boys, they went to the Ski Resort and did all kinds of things, the biggest thing they did was the biking down the trials at the resort, not really much for little Blade to do so he and I spent the day togehter, it was great! I enjoyed the day with him! He is so cute when he is "thinking" just always has something cute to say. Jer was completely amazed with the two older boys on how well they did on the biking, I guess they "showed" the pros how it was done... which is too funny... the boys and Jer in their jeans and tshirts while the "pros" were in their biking attire... passing them as they fly down the hills. Anyway I am so glad they had a wonderful time!
Blade and I spent time at the park, got some ice cream, did some walking while we did some shopping for the people on our list back at home... still didn't find a bell for my mom (since this is what she collects). Blade played in the creek, got like his butt all wet and he says "i'm funny, i'm wet" as he is laughing sitting in the water, just priceless. Also as we were walking he spoted lots of babies and would say "he's cute" and with the all the puppies and dogs we saw... he would say something cute, at one point he was so so sure he saw "VINNIE" (which is Aunt Lisa and Uncle Kevin's puppy) and it was very hard to convince him it was not... He finally just said "she is at home with Lisa" SO SO CUTE!!!
We had a awesome lunch today, went to PASTA PASTA, it was a neat little place... and very good food! Tonight after Jer came to pick Blade and I up in town, we went back up to the Ski Resort so Blade could go down the "apline slide", Jer said he laughed all the way down, and as he was getting off he wanted to go again... they only got to do it a few times since it was end of the day closing time... but he was happy to there!
Tonight we had supper at RUBY TUESDAY, very good food! The hardest part of vacation for me is the eating... today I think I still stayed within my WW points but no exercise may hurt me! Tomorrow I really need to EAT like only one meal and make it through the day with lots of water!!! I have been not good about the water either :( Its hard when you are on vacation... no excuse I know... need to get focused!!!! scared to weigh in when we get home.
So today is my neice Morgan and my sister Madonna's birthdays - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!! Hope you are having a great time in S. Dakota!! We'll see you when we get back home !! Also tonight was an engagement party for Jer's brother, Randy and his finance' Tina, hope you guys had a good time, sorry we missed it! as well as missing the Kremer's get together... just can't be everywhere I guess... so hope everyone who was there had a good time!
Looking forward to next weekend... Jer's brother Eric is going to put his old "beaut" (The Lumina) in the Monti Demo Derby... my boys are so pumped about it, its all they talked about on the way here... I know Jer is excited to see it as well. Eric just please please be careful!!!!

So until I blog again, do something out of the ordinary... life is too damn short!!!

So here we are Friday, what a great day!!! What is life if you can't relax a little? So this am... we chilled all morning until about noonish and headed into town for the day, the boys really wanted to go biking... like Mitchel couldn't wait any longer... was quite funny when he would just keep bringing it up. So Jer took the boys for the day and went biking, Blade went on a "tow behind"... he didn't want the buggy, he wanted to be a big boy and BIKE :) It was so cute when he got the helmet put on his head... he was all shy and cute about it, priceless moment! As they drove off I thought wow... where are my babies? TIme just flies!!!! Wish I could have that "baby time" again!!! Before I know it Blade will be starting preschool... but I have been giving that lots of thought lately... he may wait a year, just depends on how soon we are in the house!
So I had the day to myself... quiet but nice... different kinda pace but I enjoyed it. I went through the town and did some shopping, the stores here are very different... so I didn't get much besides some souveniors and post cards...
Tomorrow, we are going to a "ski resort" and doing the alpine slide and a bunch of other activites... park opens at 9... so its going to be a LONG day tomorrow but the boys are SO EXCITED!!! so it should be a full day of FUN for them!!!!
Tonight we ate at "ERIC'S" in Breckenridge... yes that is the name of it, it was a cool little place... the name was fitting for tonight's event... WOW!!! Eric I just hope you get things taken care of tomorrow am! If I would of been home I would of raised some HELL!!! Thank you Lisa for being the "mom"!!!!!! so so appreciate it, hope you know that from Jer and I!!!!!!! Sometimes people should just be smacked... and act like they are mothers... instead of playing house... ghad I am upset about this!!!

So anyhow, I am going to cut this short... I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Well here we are all settled in finally, feels like a home... way to comfy here :) anyhow we had a good night, we went into Breckenridge for supper and walked around a little... very cute town!!! Tomorrow we will go into town again since where we are is no where close to it.
I think the boys have mapped out what they want to do while we are here, just a matter of putting it into a "plan" I am all about planning you know...
No more caffiene and food for LIS... wow I am SLACKIN!!! Overall the eating wasn't bad today but I had WAY too much caffeine in me this afternoon... have to back off coffee and DP... ERRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont have much else to say... and no picture this time either... look for me tomorrow, I will write something fun, the boys sure were goofy tonight but hey its fitting with their mom, right??

Well the day began at 6am... with Jer screaming... GET UP GET UP... blah... just was not a morning person today :( I wanted to sleep in just a little... anyhow we were off on a full day of travel to get to our destination, we go here about an hour ago... it's INCREDIBLE!!! This message comes from Breckenridge CO.
We are staying at a cabin, its absolutely beautiful here... it couldn't of been better!!! Lots of relaxation is going to happen here during our stay, almost to the point if we could stay here until our house is done I probably would! Just so thoughtful of Jer's boss to let us stay here while we are out here... its HUGE!!! a loft with play area for the kids with a sleeping area, on the main floor... full kitchen, living room, more bedrooms, then a full basement with more beds... the bed space is amazing to me... maybe its because we haven't seen that in a VERY LONG TIME :)

Ok now on to the BAD COFFEE subject... did ya ever have bad coffee? WOW... it was BAD, I thought I would get a coffee when we stopped at a gas station on the way, HOLY MAN was that a mistake!!!! I really should of known better, but no Starbucks was anywhere near by and I needed something!!!

Not much news just that we got here, the boys were absolutely GREAT riders, no real complaints or fighting happened on that way and Blade was SO good!! The "replacement blankie" did ok for him but he still ask for his Kevin/Lisa one... breaks my heart its lost!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just really happy how it all went. Jer and I watched a lot of the "Gillmore Girls" on our way, YES I am addicted to the show... if you want to see it I have Seasons 1 - 5... waiting for the recent one to come out and I am only on season 3... just love it!!! Maybe on the way back we will watch OC... yep reruns of old seasons since the new season is not out yet... FRUSTRATING!!! I have my boys watching the show now... Mitchel is REALLY growing up into a fine young man.

So I posted a picture of me on this blog... why??... well cuz... hrm... not sure why... to laugh about it at a later date when I read about my HORRIBLE coffee incident today, gosh it was BAD!

I may post a blog later on in the evening, we are going to rest up a bit while Jer does a few conf. calls then we are off to the little town of Breckenridge... I'm excited to go see the town and start planning for our day tomorrow.

I hope this finds you all well!! Email me on whats happening at home!

Hello all, greetings from Lincoln, Nebraska :) We are on our way to Breckenridge, CO. with the boys for the rest of this week and over the weekend... then we will go into Denver on Monday thru Wednesday since Jer does have work to attend next week, so for Jer its work related but its also going to be a wonderful vacation for all of us, boys have been WONDERFUL travelers!!! We are so lucky!!! Blade was really good, he napped some of the trip but overall he was a trooper!
So before we took off today, we saw our house complete, YEP the bricking is all done!!!! We are so so happy with how it turned out, its more than we ever expected, I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!, its just AMAZING and its full of old character which was our intention:) Its one huge step to have complete so now I hope the inside will keep moving and we can be living in it soon. The wall boards were all hung in the last few days so that is offically complete too! It finally feels like a house... no more empty wall space with just boards... actual walls are up :) So now we are up to finishing the HVAC and plumbing, then to plastering to start when we get back since there is lots of clean up to do before that can begin, but its getting closer and closer... Im getting nervous cuz now I actually have to start picking out paint colors, flooring, and all the finer details.
Jer told me great news today... all the trees we cut down and cut into lumber... we can use them for our flooring in the addition as well as the "false beams" we are putting in the ceiling, so that was EXCITING, its going to be perfect for that room.
Our intentions at the beginning were to use that lumber for the attic but the "brainstorming" kicked in one night when we were looking at "laminate wood flooring" and so we ran it by our contractor and he loved the idea... so I was excited to hear that we could do that.
Unfortunately... no W.W. news this week, I won't be weighing in this week due to our vacation :( I was going to weigh in this a.m. but ran out of time since Mitchel's orthrodonist appt. took longer than I thought and I had a TON to do before we left for our trip... hate the thought of missing a week but, I'll suck it up and hope for greater loss next week!! Mel, I will miss you this week!!! Once again I apologize for not weighing in with you this week, and looks like next week I won't be either unless you go into the DBQ meeting with me... Best of luck to you this week!!! I'd like to be down to my 10% loss by the end of Aug. and if I make it then I will finally have a achololic drink :) Tonight I did splurge and had chicken strips but no F.Fries... and what was even harder was when the boys and Jer had nachos and cheese but I had a few and called it quits... will power is the key, right? I even had points to spare at the end of the day so I stayed within my limit.
My heart is with my dear friend, Kim ... who lost her husband due to a long battle of cancer. I went to the Funeral yesterday, it was very hard but I tell you this... as weird as it sounds it was the most beautiful ceremony I have ever attended, its was everything Warren would of wanted, and touched us all just like he did... WHOA... ok can't write anymore getting teary eyed... just thinking about it, but anyhow my heart goes out to her!!! Live each day like there is no tomorrow, all of you!!!!!
So ok ... one week ago yesterday the new store opened in our building, REALITY hit me hard this week but I know its for the best and life goes on, but some people in my life... no names mentioned... needs to realize that its still hard, and its going to be for awhile. I think for myself the more I go into Tammy's store the better I feel about it but its still very hard to comprehend, I just feel like I should be doing something when I walk in there... but over the last week I feel good about Tammy, she will do great here and just hope that the community supports her. I just miss everything about it!!
So I will close on a happy note... things are going to be well I know it! Once this house is done I will be LIS again, I promise that to all of my friends, and the crazy chaos will slow down, right? I have MANY good things coming and I have everything I have ever wanted right in front of me and thats all I need and can't take any of it for granted!

I wish you all a great weekend!!! Some great things are coming for all of us, right? Love you all!!!!

So here we are at Thursday already... WOW this week is flying. Today was just a BLAH kinda day... first things first... no "cal board" was hung at the house yesterday or today... so that was a damper on my week :( but the insulation is completed so that is a PLUS :) brick layers are staying at the house this week and making lots of progress... then today was Blade's day to go to "school" he didn't want to go at all... broke my heart but I had to take him to get stuff done, took the older boys for lunch then we stopped in at the "new store"... WOW that was HARD to suck up, but I was happy that Mitchel and Issac were there with me because I looked at them and just knew I was doing the right thing... it was just REALLY HARD... I put my heart and soul into fixing that building up when we did it and now its not even "mine"... but at a lighter side... the place looks AWESOME!!!! I am so happy for her, and I know she will do great here! I have many items I am looking at for the house but in time that will all happen if its meant for me to buy.
So tonight was W.W. I went to the DBQ meeting... I was kinda bummed... .8 was only lost, just goes to show I ate too much cookie dough this week :( So over all I am up to 8.2 loss, I have offically met my 5% mark... so that is something but I do wish I would of weighed in less... my own fault, so I will have much more "will power" this week!!!
Tonight Mitchel had soccer practice, after that the boys and I went and did a little shopping, my neice's birthday gift and a few things for them... I had to get Issac new shoes tonight to replace "FRED"... yes he named his shoe that was falling apart at the heel, and as Issac would say "its like a mouth talking"... I was LOL so hard, I nearly died!!! It was so funny! He is such a pill, and tonight also at the $$ store I got them both "police officer" sunglasses, I will post a picture soon... since Issac got them he hasn't taken them off... looks incredibly cute in them :) and for Mitchel... WOW makes him look older!!

Until I blog again hope this finds you all well :)

Well Happy 4th to you All!!! Enjoyed the day with the boys and Jer... went to the Cascade parade and packed it up and went to the Monti parade... then off to mom and dad's for lunch, grilled out this evening and went to the fireworks. Just posted a few pictures from the day. Enjoy!

Thanks to all those who joined us for the nice time at the 3rd Of July at MGH... We had a wonderful time!!!!
Hope to see you all again soon! Hey Jen... I want to borrow that shirt sometime :)

Hello All :) Hope this finds you all well. Just a few picture of our "future brick men ;-) " We took some picture of the kids while we were up working at the house cleaning crap out of the basement and got most of the yard picked up, Lots to do yet but it was a great feeling at the end of the day to have what we did done!

A full day of relaxation for the most of the day yesterday since it was raining some of it... ran into DBQ, and we offically own a bike rack for the Highlander, so we can pack up the bikes and go biking on trails now... so that will be fun in the future :) Last night we had a little fire with the boys and some of their friends and Jer did firecrackers with the boys.

Tonight we are going in to the fireworks and airshow in DBQ, going to meet up with some good friend at MGH and park in the lot there... hope to get a walk in :) while we wait for the fireworks. I hope to see mom and dad come in to join us as well.


Enjoy the 4th!!!!

Cookies Cookies, and cookies :( Why did I make them? Today was not a good day for my diet... I had 3 fricken cookies! I am so mad at myself!! My favorite kind of cookies are peanut butter ones with chocolate stars on them... and I learned how to make them this week with a simple recipe, it was so easy but WHY did i eat 3 of them :( The rest of my day for my "diet" was good except for the cookie monster part.
Today I offically ordered the our cooktop stove, wall microwave/oven unit, and dishwasher for the kitchen at the house, Nice chunk of change on those babies when its all said and done! I went locally with Superior Appliances from Monticello rather than giving the "big dogs" my business, I like supporting locals:)
I did a lot of phone calls regarding the house today, I have two painters coming this next week to give me quotes. I called on getting a quote for the hardwood floors, and just did misc. research pertaining to the house. Happy to report Artic Seal was at the house today, the whole main floor outer walls are now insulated, the inner walls and ceilings will be done on Monday.
The brick is getting further and further, its just amazing how things are finally coming into the works with the house.
Tonight Jer and I met up with Mike Ressler since we wanted to get a quote from him for the plastering, he has been highly recommended by so many to us, and my dad has nothing but good things to say about him, so he came and looked at our upstairs... very highly recommended hanging new boards over the existing walls, the paint he thinks is "whitewash" so plaster will not have much longevity if we just spray over the existing wall, its good and bad news. He said for "being young kids like us" we should just do it right. I really liked Mike's advice and attitude on doing things but I also knew him since I was a kid... so I think if we can get him to commit to our job, we will hire him since he is the best of best and he will fit in with everyone else who has worked on the house. We will meet up with him later this week and go from there, may have to wait a little longer but think it will be well worth the wait.
So tonight Jer and I took the boys and some friends of theirs to see SUPERMAN and out for supper to CiCI's Pizza. I think the boys really enjoyed themselves. Blade was a little pistol at the movie again... if the movie is not a cartoon... he is tuned out.
He was cute when he thought the scenes were "scary" and by the time the movie was over he had his shirt and shoes off and was running on the loose... complete craziness... LONG time before he goes to a movie again!
Busy weekend ahead with the holiday and getting crap done, we are going to meet up with some friends tomorrow night for a night out so I'm looking forward to that! Hopefully have a "normal" fire some evening as well.
So enjoy your weekend!

Well I have reached another goal for my weight this week, goal is to loose 3-4 lbs a week, happy to report I lost 3.5 at the weigh in tonight. I was hoping for 4 but I am satisfied with that.
Lots happened today, I didn't get much done here at the apartment due to working up at the house most of the afternoon and lending my mom a hand at her house. Lots of cleaning was done at the house today so the insulators could come tomorrow, that is exciting since its gets us closer to the next step, which will be boards actually hung on walls next week, and plaster following if we can get the HVAC going again soon.
Brick on the house is looking amazing, I am very please with the look, each day its looking more and more like a home, I just can't wait to be living it in soon.
Still much to do I know but ... If I stay on top of contractors things will get done, happy to report the electrical in the kitchen was completed tonight!!! So happy about that!!!
Hopefully I will get a hold of these painters that I put a "bid" on and won at a benefit last year... just getting frustrated since no area code seems to be working, so more research needs to be done on that, if not I will give up and go with our locals here, just a frustrating that no specific area code or address was given on the voucher. Oh well! life goes on.
No big plans really for the weekend, hope to get a lot done at the house when we are not running with soccer practice for Mitch.
Boys are pretty bummed... no Ms. Molly again this weekend, its cute when they miss her :)
So I best get something done here now that I am home, kids will be sleeping soon so I will get lots done then :)

Until I blog again, take a drive by our house... its coming together :)

WOW well today was a GREAT day! I spent most of the day with my greatest friend, Diane... whom is my best friend :) It was birthday, turned the good ol' 41 today ... so happy day to you Diane! I met up with her about 1030ish and gave her gifts before we took off for the day, we went into DBQ for lunch at AppleBee's, had a light lunch since we are both doing the W.W. diet, after lunch we headed downtown and went walking on the trails by the river, it was a GORGEOUS day and just so carefree and relaxing, I know I needed a day like that as well as Diane, so what better way to spend a birthday, right? I think we walked over 45 mins, but I absolutely enjoyed it!!! We got back to town about 3:45ish, and when I was going to take Diane home, we drove by an accident... here it happened to be a dear friend of both of us, Lisa M. involved... my heart just sank, I really felt bad for her since I know recently she got new wheels, and I know how terrible it feels to be in a accident, I wanted to stop and hug her!! So anyhow Lisa... I know how you feel!! Hope this finds you well and remember you have LOTS of good friends around you if you ever need anything!!!
So I got home and boys were still at the farm so I got some things done around here, I can't stress enough how much I HATE it here, I went to do some laundry tonight before the kids got home and the fricken washer just quits during the load, I was so PO'ed!! That was the end of the straw for giving the "crappy laundry facilities" here the last chance so tomorrow I will haul it all over to Billy's and get it done, pain in the ass but believe me its MUCH better in my own neptunes.
I got a few errands in and ran up to the house to check on a few things with "Jay the bricker" he is such a hoot... they got quite a ways today, its really looking how I pictured it so that to me feels like a sense of accomplishment.
Boys got home and they wanted to do something tonight since there was no soccer practice tonight for Mitchel, so they suggested a movie, so that it was. We went to see Fast and Furious III, Blade was ok but he was confused on "when the movie was coming on" since the boys kept talking about all the cool cars that were going to be in it... so maybe he thought it was going to be the "CARS" movie again, He was a trooper though once the movie did show some action with the cars.
I ate and did really good all day until we got to the movie... had a little popcorn and a few chips :( so hurt !!!!! I am really feeling quilty now that I did that!!! WOW why did I do that, I know it wasn't a lot but I really can't fall into bad habits, I need to take this seriously, I want to have my 10% loss gone by the end of July. I will be back on track tomorrow and no more slipping, its probably going to hurt me when I weigh in tomorrow but its my own fault. Boys were so loaded on popcorn that they didn't want anything to eat after the movie except for ice cream... so Culver's it was, Eric's girlfriend Jamie was working so it was nice to see her cheerful face at the window :)
So tonight I got back to town I needed to get some water from the shop and I had called down and asked Tammy to just leave it out back but they were still there working so I went in to "thank" them... WOW its looking way different in there, a total different feel from what my store was so that was a little hard to comprehend but just sallowed, and sucked it up, I am happy for Tammy but its still hard to see someone in the space yet, time will heal itself and all will be good!
I count my blessings everyday for the 3 wonderful boys I have and there is nothing I would rather have right now then the time i have with them, they grow so fast and that time never ever comes back, so I know I did the right thing by letting the doors close at the store because I have been enjoying the time with the boys and I know that they are happy to have their mom back full time :) I do however miss Jer a lot when he is gone on the road, and its tough being here without him but its what we have to do for now, things will slow down when the time is right. My family is my life and nothing can ever get in the way of that! Things may be a little shady living here but I have it all with my little family and thats all I need to get thru the day.
So tomorrow is Thursday... weigh in day... hope it goes ok, I always seem to get a little nervous but I'll just keep my chin high and hope for the best and strive to keep the weight coming off.

Until I blog again, enjoy whats in front of you and remember family and friends are the rock of your lives!!!

Ok so today was the typical MONDAY... just a icky day, felt sluggish all day and not sure why, maybe its the lack of caffiene... not sure, I just have so much to do its pathetic!!! and I didn't do a whole lot this am but this afternoon I got quite a bit accomplished.
So Mitchel returned home today about 11am, he had a wonderful time over the weekend, I got all the details of all the good and bad and unfair pulls... which I honestly knew nothing about what he was trying to explain but it was cute just watching him get all emotional with the details :) So around lunch time, Jer's brother Eric calls me... he wants to spend the day with his nephews, it was just so touching that he wanted to do that, it meant a lot to me!! as well as the boys. So he packed all the boys in his car and met up with Jamie (his girlfriend) in DBQ and took the boys minature golfing, to the batting cage, and out for supper and off to the park. A full day for all of them, I met up with them at Mitchel's soccer practice, and Eric was too funny, he was telling me that Blade had a "green poopy diaper" it was quite FUNNY as he is telling the story and Blade hears him and perks up and says "yep I had green poop" I was busting a gut!!!! Way too many fruit snacks at grandma Steffen's while we were gone over the weekend, its the only thing I can think of that is giving the kid the "greens". Not sure if Eric ever changed a diaper before but hope it went ok, just cute listening to Eric talk about the day with the boys. So the boys LOVED spending the day with him, it was great for all of them, hope they can do that again soon.
So tonight was a night of soccer practice, Blade, Issac and I ran and did some errands, since the boys had eaten with Eric I just drove thru Taco Bell and got something quick, time flew tonight so that was good! We got home and made some cookies together, the boys have been begging me to make cookies so we did, Mitchel pretty much made the chocolate chip cookies himself and did a good job, we will bake them tomorrow since it got late tonight, I have no problem making them cuz I dont like the dough too much and I dont really eat cookies so I will be fine with this :)

So I best close... overall good day for dieting, so just hope to see some payoff at "weigh in" this week.
Hope this finds you all well!

This picture of Blade was taken last night after I opened a box that had some of our lights we ordered for the house. Blade loved to play in the box of peanuts, it was pretty darn cute!! I bet he played with these for a good 45 mins., grant it some of them ended up all over the kitchen floor but he was having fun :)

So today was a good day, diet went well... eat probably less today, I wasn't feeling the best today. A little frustrated since I got on the scale here at home and didn't see much loss but I will still keep tuggin away at it, and I know I am not supposed weigh myself here at home but its just a habit I've always had. So this am I got my walk in, ran up to the house and saw what was done, the insulation in the attic looks COOL, as weird as it sounds but it does, while there I talked with Billy for awhile and bs'd with Jay for a bit... need to get cookies made for them this week!

So I was off to a 25th anniversary party for my cousin's over in the Wisconsin area, I rode with my sister and mom... yep another fun ride... wasn't too bad today thou., mom kept the air "clean". So I was at this party most of the day and Jer took the boys out to the farm for a bit then met up with me in DBQ, we ran and got some supplies for the electrican at the house and got "movie Sunday" in with the boys. We went to see "GARFIELD", it was pretty cute, grabbed some supper and headed home.
I was hoping to get another walk in tonight but the rain shot that to hell... so hopefully I will get a few in tomorrow and get LOTS of catch up work done here, I am so far behind with being gone all last week, but I sure enjoyed the time away so it was well worth it :)
My very best friend's birthday is this week... DIANE'S so hopefully I will get to kidnap her for the day and go do something fun with her, other than that Mitchel has a big week of soccer ahead... 3 practices and a scrimmage this week so hopefully the weather will cooperate since they are training for the big tourney next weekend, Jer is off to Denver for a few days this week, Issac and Blade will just enjoy the summer days being kids. I hope to get a lot done here and at the house this week to prepare for possible insulation work this week and if we get lucky blue board hung next week... time will tell:)
Brick on house is coming along great, I am so happy we picked out what we did and convinced Jer of the stone accents being put in every so often, makes it look distinguished and gives it personality.

So until I blog again, hope you all have a great week ;-)

Got some photos updated... FINALLY :) enjoy...

Well today, Saturday, just got home from Chicago a little bit ago after stopping in at Eric's girlfriend, Jamie's graduation party, it was a nice little party in her honor, not too many people so that was nice. I really like Jer's brother Eric, he is a good kid!
So a little catch up from yesterday since I didn't blog from Chicago... yesterday was a full day of walking and browsing, shopping on Michigan Ave. in Chicago for me while Jer was at a all day meeting with some guys for YES, I really enjoyed it but WOW Chicago is different as far as shopping goes, its interesting to see the "rich snobs" and the "average joes" shop. I have come to realize that if you don't have "money" you don't step foot in some of them... prices are crazy high and the product is not any better than what you can buy at a cheaper value. Anyhow I got some cute clothes for the kids, a few things for Jer, and a few things for myself... not a lot for me since I really want to loose my target weight and maintain it then I will go on a shopping adventure, but until then I am not buying much at all, just shorts and a few shirts as needed.
Last night we went to the performance of the BLUE MAN GROUP, it was totally AWESOME, I really enjoyed it! It was a lot more comedy then I expected, and the ending was a BLAST, if you ever get a chance to see them, DO IT!!! Its a show you wont forget.
After the show, Drew made plans for supper, it was "lebinese food" quite not the thing I had in mind for supper at all... the meal dragged big time! Sorry but I am a 100% American girl and dont like to "try" the risky foods per say, none of it look appealing to me at all, I was just thinking... how can these guys eat this crap? ... but anyhow I survived and didn't have to worry about my w. watcher points at this restraunt :) I was just never so glad to leave the place, the food smell was getting me since I was STARVING, and no offense but I can only take so much "geek talk" for a period of time, sorry Jer... I still love you thou :) So we leave and Jer tries hard to find a place for me to get something to eat but while looking for a place, we got LOST and I at this point was just tired and wanted to get something in me before I had a 'melt down' so back to the hotel we went and we just walked to the closest grocery store and got some fruit and well some "rotten" lettuce so just ended up eating fruit which was ok.
Tonight I drove by the house, I am so so happy to see all the progress being made, sounds like a lot could happen this week too so that is good.
As far as the w. watchers plan going for me, its been hard but good. I just need to stay focused and shoot for the goal I have set for the week ahead.
Wonder if Mitchel is having a good time and the weather is nice for the tractor pull. We are going to call him in a little bit.

So until I blog again, wish you all a good weekend! Drop me a line and let me know whats happening in your world.

So here I am in Chicago sitting in a window seat at the hotel, its very cool! I should get one of these in my house... just kidding!
Jer is off to a meeting with a few guys here and I am just enjoying peace and quiet :) little weird but nice, the sounds of Chicago surround me, watching the taxi drivers fly by like manics is hilarious too! So anyhow its about 8ish and its been interesting, my phone just "stopped" working via text msgs for some damn reason... so I decided to call it in to US SUCKULER... was on hold for prolly 10 mins waiting for a rep, then they tell me that I have to give them a "land line" to contact me back on, so ok I give them the hotel #... duh me the room is not under my name nor Jer's name, its under the guy who booked the tickets. So I am on phone with them, Jer calls... someone is at the door... CHAOS... what happened to the nice quiet time I was having... (just kiddin) I am having it right now in the window:) Anyhow when I went to answer the door it was a tall blonde haired lady with bags, etc (if I were to guess ... aah nevermind think it on your own) I never laughed so hard when I shut the door because the look on her face was like... OH MY GOD! just TOO funny! I am thinking this is why maybe the guy who booked our rooms was "eager" about having his own room at the hotel, too bad for him since this turned into our room.
So ok we drove to Chicago today, got downtown about 5:30ish, parked the truck and found our hotel. Drew, I and Jer decided to take a little walk while waiting for Mark to get into town. We were walking across the "tow bridge" I totally totally biffed it, I didn't see the ledge that 'jumped' out at me and down on all fours I went, my body aches! I am going to have some nasty bruises on my knees and on my stomach area, I hurt my left hand pretty good but it didn't fall off or anything so I'll survive, but what COMPLETE misery and painful experience that was, it was humilating since there was like 30 or more people behind me walking, so yes hurt my pride a little but I got up and kept walking... in pain but I got up.
Hope the boys are doing ok at mom's... Mitchel should get a good nights sleep in before he takes off for the weekend, and hope the other two boys behave for grandma and sleep good tonight too. Miss them lots!! Hi BOYS!!!
So today for the dieting, its been a good day. I have become to the point where all I do is go to the bathroom from all the drinking I have been doing so for Jer think he gets a little annoyed he has to stop more frequently when we travel.
Made a record so far... its 8:30pm and no DP at all today, this is a HUGE accomplishment for me!!!! I had lots of ice tea today as well as water and layed off the coffee as well, but that is yet to come because I am freezing my ass off here at the hotel waiting for Jer and my coat is in the truck.
So tomorrow Jer has meetings I am going to go browsing and do some shopping, brace myself from the tripping of making a complete ass of myself, oh well... was kinda funny but holy shit I am full of aches... my back is killing me now :(

Wonder what got done at house today, Jer informed me that the insulation guy was there today for the attic job and he and Billy got things accomplished last night, so happy to hear progress is being made.

Well best close for now, think I am going to get a heating pad from the front desk... Argh!!!!

For all those lbs lost this week! Way to go girls!!!!!!!! Im jealous I weighed in on Monday now... you are both ahead of me as of my last weigh in.

Wow... here I am almost a week later and just blogging... I'm slacking ... well not really just been busy.
So lets catch up... last week Thursday a friend and I started Weight Watchers together, we weighed in and got all of our info material and a few supplies for the week, I had my last "normal" eat alot night at Pizza Hut that evening after the meeting and started on the plan on Friday, I told myself that I am sticking to the points and no allowances for the first week or two... I just want to be able to tell myself "no" at my bad habits, my other goal for the week is less DP, keeping it to a MAX of two a day, so far its going well, the weekend was a little hard with the "holiday" and having a good meal at mom's and a wedding we attended but I did good, I stuck to the plan and turned the tempations away. So I survived my first weekend! YEAH!!!! So being Jer and I are going into Chicago tomorrow (which Thursdays are my "normal" weigh in dates) I will not be able to attend the meeting so I decided to go to the meeting in DBQ on Monday while Mitchel attended his soccer practice, I weighed in and lost 4.2 lbs :) ... I was happy with that, grant it, its a lot of water loss but have to start somewhere. So all the exercising paid off over those days as well as eating healthy. So in my blog I will keep you all posted on the "tour of Lis's weight loss". I am determined to do this and I know I can do this, its just keeping my head in it, I want to loose between 40-50lbs to reach my "all time goal", but first I will get to my 10% and go from there. I don't want to be the "fat mom" sitting on the sidelines at the soccer feild any longer ...
So over the weekend, we attended a "friend of the family's" wedding (Billy's sister Geralyn) got married, it was a nice reception... very cool how they did it, it was at a park and had a indoor facility and then a play area close by for the younger crowd as well as a "jumping pin" for the kids. I rode down to the ceremony with my sister and my mom, and a friend of the family, it was a LONG ride... was never so happy to just get there... details in person :) Billy did the singing at the mass, did a very nice job like normal! I saw his nephew Robert for the first time, he is such a DOLL!!! I loved his eyes, looks so much like his mommy. Jer drove down to meet up with me and we hung out and visited with friends and then called it a night, I wasn't feeling the best... scratchy throat and runny nose... felt miserable. So, yes we were home by 11:30 on a Saturday night... WE ARE GETTING OLD :(
Oh and also on Saturday, Jer and I witnessed the bricks going on our house... that was EXCITING!!!!!!! "Jay the bricker" is a hoot, I have no doubt he and his wife and crew will do a great job.
Sunday ... FATHER'S DAY... kids gave Jer a bike but he knew about it before the actually "day" and I bought him a new MAC BOOK but he already got this too, I gave it to him a few weeks ago when all the excitement happened with "3 Bubbles" getting sold to "YES", since it was a HUGE deal, some of you know this and some of you may not. So we went to mom and dad's for lunch and gave dad his gifts, it was nice seeing the family together. Then of course my brother had to bring up the "fire incident" in front of my older sister Madonna... which apparently she didn't know anything about it, and she just had a TON to say about that, my ears were burning!!! I wanted to scream and shut her up... After mom's we went to the farm to see Jer's dad for awhile then we were off on our own time with Jer, we decided to go biking... borrowed my brother's bike rack and loaded the bikes and headed off to DBQ, we biked on the trail by the dog tracks and by Houlihans, it was a nice time, really enjoyed it. Then we had supper at Houlihans. I know my boys are growing up when they order "adult meals" now.... Issac had steak, and Mitchel had ribs, they ate it all.
Also over the weekend the store if "offically" leased out, the new store is all moved I believe. I had lots of tears Friday, I just tried to stay busy and not think about it, its just hard seeing it go to another shop, but don't get me wrong I am very happy for her, just lots of mixed emotions going on.
Ok,so Yesterday Jer and I took the kids to Mt. Olympus at the Dells... We had a WONDERFUL time!!!!! We got back this evening. The boys absolutely LOVED it! The park was very nice, not too busy at all, lots and lots of "car" rides as Blade called them (they were go carts), the older boys went on all of the roller coasters with their dad, 'HADES' was their all time favorite.
Jer said it was the "BEST" roller coaster he's ever been on. I took little Blade where he wanted to go since he was limited to rides. We had a nice supper last night, kids were really good, the restraunt was FREEZING!!!! so I decided to have a little of Jer's coffee, well ah... a little turned out to be FOUR glasses... LIS WAS WIRED! and I was still cold when we left so I asked and begged Jer to find a Starbucks, so he did :) I got a GRANDE coffee, and then we headed back to the amusement park for awhile until it closed down, last ride we did was the go carts as a family, and Jer and I were racing at the end and he told me if I beat him... "he'd buy me another coffee" before we went back to the hotel... CRAZY I know since I was beyond wired at this point, had a "coffee high" going I swear... WOW!!! but a deal is a deal and I WON :) and after being on those cars I was still freezing, flippin summer out and felt like a Fall evening. We all crashed hard tonight after a LONG day, but it was a AWESOME day for our family, had lots of fun!!! The text messaging between Jer and Dustin was entertaining :) since this is Jer's "main" use for his cell I swear and not sure how much Dustin ever used it before the Jer Ber came along... but he's got everyone doing it now.... quite funny is all.
So today was another good family day, we slept in, got up and went to the amusement park when they opened and spent a few hours there before it decided to down pour, got some souveniours all called it a day there. We then went to the "TOP SECRET (upside down White House)... it was quite LAMEO, but had the kids going on all the little "perks" and gadgets that were included on the "tour", had Issac and Mitchel pretty tricked, they was scared at times... so it was cute watching them.
Then headed back for Iowa after lunch, stopped and got the boys some fireworks, Blade slept for quite a bit of the ride. I got a little nap in from Dodgeville to DBQ, so that was nice :)
Updates on the house, well lets see... bricking was started, they were there Monday working, coming back sometime later this week, widows peek is completely done... has siding on it now, the addition got the rest of the windows put in and siding was started, so wont take long for them to finish this off after bricking is done on the corners, still waiting to put doors on, we hope to have them in a few weeks then house can offically be "sealed up with doors and windows :) I ABSOLUTELY love how it is all coming together, I am glad Jer and I went with the "paver" bricks and took our time about picking the right stones, its going to look great when it done, a different kind of look and thats what we are going for :) The electrical is going great, Billy has been doing a great job getting it all done and its so appreciated by us!!! Its weird to actually have lights again at the house, its been a LONG time since a light has been on up there, I LOVE the sofit lights, they look COOL!!! So tomorrow we are having the attic insulated, we have a guy coming tomorrow, so this is exciting too!
Plans for the weekend, Jeremie has a few meetings in Chicago tomorrow and Friday so I am going to go with him, we are going to make it a little get away for us. Mom is going to watch the boys until Saturday mid afternoon, and hopefully Jer's mom can help her out too. This weekend is also a big weekend for Mitchel... he's going tractor pulling up in Tomah, WI., he looks forward to this every summer so its a BIG deal to him. Hopefully this weekend will go fast for Issac... he always seems to miss his big brother while he is gone :-) and Blade will miss him a great deal too!!!
I hope to get all caught up on Saturday... laundry needs to be done since we were gone the last two days and now leaving again tomorrow for a few days. So looks like I will be hanging out with my Neptunes this weekend :-) fun, heh? I refuse to do laundry here... damn token only work when the machine "feels like working" and the smoke odor in the hallway is disgusting... complaints I know... it will all be better when house is done !!

So until I blog again... life is too short, live a little! go do something out of the ordinary :-)

I will post pictures of the boys at the Dells as soon as I get them downloaded.

Hello all,
Today Wednesday already... time flies.
Yesterday I took Mitchel and Blade to "Build a Bear"... Blade absolutely LOVED it!!! He was all about "washing and combing" his froggy since that is what he made, it was just TOO CUTE! I was just laughing when I saw how much time he spent at the "tub station" ... bet he played there 20 mins or so. So yes needless to say I bought the "beauty package" so he could play with his froggy here., maybe girly but hey he liked it... and since we got home he's been playing with froggy... no need to worry kept the boy thing going too, he got a little car for him to "ride" in too... pretty darn cute watching him play with it, but I can say this... have your $$ ready when you walk into that store, complete rip off! I walked out $100.00 later after gift cards, but for Blade it was fun to go.
We went to Williamsburg after the "build a bear" deal... got some cute things for me, the boys, and Jer. Tracy (Billy's neice) rode with me, we were already to come back to go to Mel's party in the evening but Molly couldn't come babysit so I had to scratch that idea, would of have loved to have gone but didn't want to leave the boys since Jer was out of town as well. Sorry MEL!!
Well for today... I had a fr'ckn dr. appt in am, did some errands and headed home to get Blade picked up and came home to do a few things around here before soccer... but then it turned out that it was cancelled, so we waited for Jer to come home.
Issac went to see the movie "cars" with grandma Miller and the kids at the driven theater, and Jer and I took the other two boys and went to CR for supper, it was a good time. I can't believe how much Mitchel is growing, I can like shop for him now at American Eagle... its kinda weird but fun at the same time:)
Can you believe this weather? Its cold and yucky in June... what happened to a "hot" summer? Not that I am complaining too much but this rain is getting real old... especially when we are trying to get this house project done.... complete MUD PIT up there. I seriously hope rain goes away... bricks are supposed to be started tomorrow or Friday, just want to see this get started soon. Tomorrow Jer has lots of meetings at the house, needs to meet with Jay, Billy, and Dustin to go over a few things, and hopefully we can get the plumbing going again soon too, we will order the two other exterior doors tomorrow so things can be closed up finally at house... since they were never ordered:( Then hopefully we can get some dirt moved around and stop the "4 wheeling traffic through our yard.... its annoying!!! I just think its rude that they think they can keep doing that, things will change soon I hope.
Not much else is new, just glad to have Jer home safe and sound again:) and he is here now until next Friday so that is NICE!!
Tomorrow I am going to start weight watchers with Mel ... looking forward to it, I want to loose 50+ lbs and I am going to be eager and very hard on myself in weeks to come, and I am going to see that new little baby in our circle of friends... so that will be FUN:)

Well best run... its late... until I blog again... life is crazy just go with it :)

Howdy Friends,
For those who may have heard that their was an "explosion" at our house... their was not, or perhaps you heard that our house just went up in flames... it did not. Simply what happened was we had a "bon fire" lets just say not the normal bon fire, we had a "Jer and Jerry bon fire" with gasoline and diesel fuel, Lets just say Jer broke the neighborhood in and well fire deptartment showed up at our house... and people calling my cell phone, Jer's concerned parents showed up because "they had heard it was bad"... so point blank... no explosion, no fire... just a bon fire that happened to be "a huge bang" I had Jer's mother going and talking to the neighbors like she needed to explain herself for grown son... just couldn't figure that one out but she was right there talking to them all... I think that part was worse then the fire part :( We can deal with our own issues, Jer can talk to the neighbors and explain what happened... cuz I hate to even think about what may have been said. ARGH!!!! Pure embarassing, i won't forget the night, it was kinda cool but at the same time... I didn't want the fricken fire dept. there and I didn't want a neighborhood watch, as well as the "outlaw" trying to do a good deed, but anyhow hats off to Jerry and Jer... just there wont be anymore playing with fire for you two in town!! I just am thankful that it stayed controlled, and no one got hurt.

House update, well bricking is to start ths week, Jer and I both feel we know Jay (the brick layer) hands on, we feel he will do a great job. He is a super nice guy as well as his wife, Gladys... so we look forward to having them work on the house. To me it feels good having the relationships we have with everyone working on our house, it couldn't be any better in that part of it...
Wiring update... so I hear its going good, things are making headway there, so this is a HUGE plus... since this move things along after this is done, this is all I want to get done and out of the way so I can see progress happen inside so we can try to live there before the end of the year if not before which would be really cool!

So what else is new... well last week, our friends, Seth and Michelle had their little one... a BOY:) Jarin Thomas. He is a doll, so little and so precious, I am so excited for the both of them and I told Seth the night before they had him... that 'Aunt Lis' was going to spoil him... so looking forward to doing so:) As I was holding Jarin the several times I did at the hospital, kept thinking where did the time go with my 3 boys... and had happy thoughts of all those memories. I tell myself it would be nice to have one more... but right now mentally and physically I can not... life is just to damn crazy here, and I am perfectly content with the 3 boys I have.
I know that Michelle and Seth will be great parents to Jarin, and I know that grandma Kathy will be there anytime for them and hell that is all they need when you have a wonderful woman like her in your life. Seth's mom is just so COOL!!! She is a mother inlaw anyone "outlaw" would want in their life!!! I am just going to "offically" adopt her to being my mother inlaw in somekind of form, she is just a cool cool lady!
Also last weekend, we attended the reception of Marty and Kris Casey... the wedding we attended in Mexico, they had a reception at Eagle Point park for family and friends here at home, it was nice... very cold but it was nice seeing everyone again.
It was cool last week, I got to see Jerry and Mel 3x in a row :) well offically 4x including the little fire, so that was nice... since we never get to see them much, I always enjoy spending time with those two, they are a hoot! Tonight Mel is having a "home party" so I am looking forward to that.
Hrm... what else... o ... Billy's neice Tracy is up there, I have been enjoying getting to know her, she is such a nice girl.
She is going to school at Clarke this summer and fall and currently living with Billy. I am just glad I can be a friend to her while she is here and we have been hanging out during the day together so thats been cool... think she helps keep my "sanity" about all this house crap going on, she has been a big help deciding on lights... and its just been fun having her here!! Its important for her to get to know people here and things about this town so I am doing my best to be her friend while she stays here.... she's a hoot to hang around, keeps the mood alive:)

Anyhow this week at the Miller's consist of Jer in Pennsylvannia, and boys and I just chillin... Mitchel is back to soccer this week after their break last week, Issac is enjoying his new bike... Blade is still working on the potty business... hopefully this week won't have so much drama in it like last week.... but we will see.

Until I blog again... be a friend to someone and build friendships...

Wow its been DAYS since I last wrote....
All I can say is this... this 2 bedroom apt. is starting to SUCK! I absolutely hate it here anymore... totally stressing out about every little thing anymore... I need this house done to get a "norm" back in my life, this fricken shop coming to town is getting to me too... I know I should be happy that we have it rented out but just really hitting me now that I am cleaning it all up and moving my keeps somewhere... Jer's traveling seems a bit overwhelming lately.... kids day in and day out and I just feel like I am treading water and drowning fast :( I'll be fine... just keep moving and do what I need to do, so no one worry!
I will blog more later this week... can't think ... need to see this house move faster somehow to get out of this hole