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

LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY AND MORE LAUNDRY!!!! ICK!!!!!!!!!! I was so far behind on this job it was pathetic... and still tugging away at it tonight, I took most of it to Billy's today since thats where my neptunes nest for the time being... and did a few loads here in the crap machine:( Most definately can tell boys are out of school... they should of been girls... at least 3 changes of clothes a day! so I put a stop to it already... Issac being the worse for doing this. So right now my living room is surrounded in sorted piles on a toddler bed waiting to be put away... the toddler bed was to be taken down by now but... you know how that goes?
But it will be all better by tomorrow, I am going to have Mitchel help me take the bed apart and get it out of here and put laundry away when I get done cleaning out clothes bins for boys before I put clothes away... I HATE MESSES!!

Anyhow... pretty good day here, got a lot accomplished, Blade went to the daycare today... he had a BALL! they went swimming in the little pools, played outside a bunch... it was weird to take him back since he hasn't been there in over a week and it was different not having him here with me today:( but needless to say ALOT got done today and I needed to get this crap done.
Mitchel and Issac are enjoying the "good life of summer" I think I saw Mitchel a whole 2 hours today maybe... and Issac parked in front of the XBOX almost all am until I kicked his little butt off it... somedays I HATE that xbox... anyhow... Issac was a great help today helping me when he could and I very much appreciated it. He is trying to earn some $$ to buys some rollerblades that he desperately wants.

Jer is in CA... hi jer:) left this am and will return Friday night, just hoping the week will fly bye:)

Last night we made some pretty big decisions on the bricks and stone accents for the house, so that was kinda exciting but its a HUGE deal!! but I think we got it narrowed down to the colors we like so that is a start... so now its just a matter of ordering and seeing if it all comes together, kinda nervous about it since this is the BIGGEST decision for the house's appearance. Scott's crew should finish up this week for what they need to get done, then bricks will start sometime next week. YEAH:)

Tonight the boys went to stay over night at "The Haahn's" in our "old" house... kinda funny but they wanted to stay over night so just Blade and I home tonight... very quite and peaceful... I am enjoying it since MItchel and Issac tend to fight like cats and dogs sometimes :( and can't believe it Blade is out already... he did have a big day though

So until I blog again... send me an email... let me know whats new with all of you.

Memorial Day, a great day to remember all those loved ones... take the time to think of your loved ones today. I seem to like this day but then I do not, but I need to just think it is a "good day" and just remember the love I shared with them all.

WOW... weekend here and gone already, it was a good weekend, 100% enjoyed it! Although now I am feeling pretty guilty I didn't get much done when I should of... so this week will be catch up all week:( Friday started out with taking Mitchel to his soccer scrimage, then coming home and doing a few things here and then off for the night with Jer for supper at Red Robin and then we met up with the group for a fire out at Scooter's cabin... I LOVE summer!!!! campfires, toasted marshmellows, and good times around the fire but I have always hated the BUGS!!! so my nickname is fitting, isn't it? It was just so peaceful out there, so quiet and just a really cool place to hang out just chillin'... Marty and Kris... thanks for putting that night together! We sure will miss you both when you move away to CO.
Saturday... I honestly didn't do much:( in which I should have... but Jer and I caught up on our 'shows'... ending of 24 completely SUCKED!!! as well as OC's ending... its just I watch these shows until the end of the season and they completely end it sucking,
Greys Anatomy... well now that I am talking about all my favs... that was not supposed to end the way it did, so how many of you were happy to see Shephard and Grey hook up? HRM... not sure how I felt about it but can't wait for the show to start up again! as well as Prison Break!!!! So what will I watch all summer now? not sure... hopefully wont have time for TV... but we did buy "Rescue Me" since AJ told Jer it was worthwhile... and I bought the "Gillmore Girls" season 1 this weekend... so Abby... I will know your show now:) I will miss Lost, I really did get into the show but of course... season ends... ending was ok but not sure how they will come back with it. Later in the afternoon... we headed out to Jonathan Payne's grad party, good time with good food and people, just a BIG family function. I can't believe he's graduated... I remember Angie having him and mom and the girls and I went shopping and got him like 10 outfits... and I remember going to see him at Mary Ann's, feels like yesterday. Then I look at my 3 boys and think wow... not far off for Mitchel to be driving, then graduation... BOY totally not ready for this! Jer informs me on Saturday that he was talking on his cell phone until like 1am to girls... but which one was my neice but STILL!!!!

After the grad party we (Jer and I) were off to Houlihans... our weekly event, the food is just the BEST, so my favorite place to go now:) but crisps... I need to stop EATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then we headed back to Cascade and decided to go to the house and have a fire and invite people up, good time with great laughs! Thanks Tracy!!! You are a hoot!! Billy made "jungle juice" for the party, it was good, something different... told him he could make it for our "house/annv. party" someday...

Sunday... well oh my I slept in until 11am... felt good thou... but geesh nothing but another lazy day:( I really need to crack down and get shit done!! Vacation is over for me since laundry is a MILE high and closets and cupboards are a FRICKIN mess, I am totally cleaning out this week! moving shit out of here, as well as finish up what I need to do at the "CUPBOARD"
Jer and Billy got two CAN lights in our sofit at the house:) on Sunday so that was exciting!! The bricks are to start going on house this week... just not sure how this will all work out since we are missing several doors and windows yet but... well see how it goes this week. Later in the afternoon... I headed off to a cousin's graduation party with my parents while Jer went to his little brother, Skye's birthday party, I felt bad we were going different directions but it was ok, it was great seeing my "favorite" cousins again... no dull moments when you are around those clowns:) I was threaten to be thrown in the ice barrell but ha ha... there wasn't one...THANK GOODNESS!!!! since I guess the last time it was done was at my own grad party, what old memories... had a few drinks with dad, shared a few laughs and tears with cousins but all was good.
I got home and Jer and the boys were at the house making a fire so I went to join them, I got there and Blade was so happy to see me, and Issac comes running "mom mom can we get some sparklers and marshmallows from Billys" so I handed him the phone and said call him, sure enough he did... was pretty cute and "uncle Billy" caved in:) so we had a fire until about 10ish, I took the kids home got them settled in, came back to house sat by the fire for a bit and waited for Ja to show... NO SHOW he stood us up again... but anyhow so we piled in the truck and off to the Blue Chip for awhile. It was a good time, weird but a good time since it was all over by like 12am so back to the house we went, sat by the fire and drank "warm" drinks until I finally got a cold one:) Hey Billy... next time bring ICE:) sat up at the house until 2ish am then crashed in... its just so quiet up at the house. The house will be great when its done... looking forward to it more and more!!
So here we are MONDAY... we went to the great 3 minute parade... Cascade for ya:) but the kids enjoyed it and we did some catch up with Nonner and Greg, met up with Ja on the sidewalk and BS'd with him, then off we were to pick up Billy so Jer and him could work on sofit lights today, not sure if they will get all put in since its so FLIPPIN HOT out! I mean like EWH... STICKY but I know its just the beginning...
So anyhow while Jer works at house I should get some SHIT done here... its just calling my name everywhere I look:( Soon it will all be disinfected and laundry all clean and things in order.
Until I blog again... life is good being "joblis" for awhile... I am going to enjoy the summer with the boys and Jer and then we will talk about working again... but until house is done I will focus on that since we would like to be living in it this summer sometime ~ for those who are all curious to know what I am going to do now that the shop is over for me~ this is what I will be working on besides running Mitch to soccer and keeping up with the other two Miller boys of mine and as you all know Issac and Blade are true 100% all boy with all the dirt and mud included:) Speaking of which I look at Blade's hands right now and EWH... DIRTY!!! Boys will be boys.

I know I know... new pictures, well I need to charge camera and transfer all my pictures over to my new laptop and just haven't done it yet... so I will get a few new pictures soon.

Time to close...Blade is demanding juice and his mommy:) so until I blog again... enjoy the summer days ahead!!

Today is Mr. Topping's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU!!!! Hope your day is great!!!

Thursday... LAST DAY of SCHOOL for the boys:) they are excited as well as I am... I am so ready for the summer to begin!
Well its been awhile since I last blogged... I am no longer using my "clunk of junk" computer I am typing on a "caddy" now:) Jeremie and I went to Chicago on Tuesday to get my new MAC BOOK:) I was so excited!!! and I am purely loving it so much I wont even let Jer touch it much... but anyhow as some of you may know Apple just recently came out with these and it didn't take long for us to have one... since jer is Apple crazy:) I bought a cute bag for it... black with poka dots... and yes my boys give me gruff about it already but hey its me.

We got our whirlpool tub home last night, had supper with Ron and Jenn and boys... since we needed Ron Ron's expertise in figuring things out at the house. I always enjoy spending time with these two, they are as true as true people can get and I just love that about them!! Yesterday I went to pick up the pictures the boys and I got done for Jer's birthday/Christmas gift... they turned out well, I was happy with them and I think Jer was surprised last night seeing them, spent the day shopping with Blade... well not shopping shopping but stopped at a few places in Anamosa, I got these really COOL jugs... they are repro but they look old so I was happy about that buy:) and that is really all I got besides a few little things for the house. Just feels nice to shop for things again for my house since I never really did that once the shop came along because if I wanted it I could just order it but then I would sell them before I ended up bringing any of it home... ya know?

Anyhow my thoughts on the shop now, well I feel 50lbs lighter.... well feels like it anyhow but I wish I was:) It just feels good to have what I need to get done there but also still have bittersweet feelings and I probably will for awhile but right now I am just enjoying the "good life" of being a mom and being there for my boys and putting my 100% dedication into the house and making decisions there. Today I got an invite to a friend's home party... its been a LONG time since I have gotten one of those or ever went to one of those and now I can go and enjoy it and buy something for my home.

Weekend comes up fast, we have a few graduation parties to attend, a campfire to attend (at least this is what I have been informed), and we have soccer. The laundry still awaits for me to get too... I was going to hit it hard today but Blade is acting funny (like sick) so just laying low today and trying to get things done here because I am so BEHIND:( I will be caught up soon I hope!!!

Enjoy the day~ until I blog again enjoy life, its good

Wow... its been a LONG time since I last blogged... a lot has happened since then, the store is "offically" closed. I had the close out sale posted from 18th-25th but it was all gone by Sat. afternoon, its a good feeling but its also sad too... but its a chapter that I need to close and now its time to live life to the fullest with my boys and my husband:) Its been a LONG haul, very stressful and very many bittersweet feelings... I know its a good thing but I also know deeply in my heart I will miss it a lot, and its still hard to let go of something that both Jer and I worked so hard to get and where we got it to today. I look forward to the new store coming but it will be tough walking in there the "first" time after Tammy has it set up... but hey... I will have my deepest and truest friends by my side and that will be all I need.
So this weekend consisted of Friday and Saturday at the shop closing things out and watching things go, spent the day with Abby one last time working together at the store, hard but good time!! I kept my own and didn't cry until later in the evening. Saturday evening we headed into Bear and Kim's wedding reception, it was beautiful and so nice! It was just hard because I had a long day and the relatives had lots of comments and questions about the shop... and I just wanted to "try" to enjoy the joyous event and I couldn't seem to relax... just felt bad, so Kim and Bear I apologize if I was out of the "loop" but we will just have to catch up sometime when things settle on both sides. I will be thinking of you both ALOT this week, keep us posted... Later in the evening Jer "organized" a little get together at Dagwoods for me to "cheer" me up, very thoughtful of him, it was a nice time... but just wasn't all there with them... so I apologize for any distance I had... Hey Carol, dont let your "fur balls" grow... HA HA
Yesterday we did a few delieveries at the shop then we were off to a soccer game, Mitchel's team won:) It so fun to watch!!! I love the sport, and since the game was in Davenport we went down a little earlier and got some lunch and did some shopping, then after the game the boys (Mitch and Issac) went off with Billy frisbee golfing while Jer and I ran out to Home Depot.
Well and for today... WHAT a day!!!!! Nothing I hate worse than people who are "back stabbers" and all they can do is run their mouth!!!!!!!!!!! I went to the post office today and the postmaster informed me of a "rumor" that she heard... WOW!!!! is this all this town can do is TALK?? jeesh! I JUST HATE IT!!!! Anyway for those who are our closest friends and know us well... you will get a kick out of this one...especially Jer's "geek friends" who read this :) ... anyhow I was informed today that Jer sold a program that he wrote to Bill Gates and made a LOAD of $$ off it... WOW where were we when that happened??? Then later today I was also informed that " we were having marriage problems" and a "possible affair was going on" .... GOD, is this all these people do here is TALK????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I can't stand it!!! So for this aspect of business I am so GLAD I am getting out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will live in my own world and enjoy my family and drown it all out as much as I can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As far as the word "DRAMA" wow ... some people just get tied up in it... and I'm so not going to be a part of it at all!!!! I just want some people to be "straight forward and honest" why can't this happen in this world? Anyhow this is my gripe for the day! " To say one thing and not mean... it hurts those who it is said too..." I can't believe what I saw tonight after being told what was said to me today... hurts... but just goes to show... some can not be trusted, and I am not going to "play" or be a part of the little game that is going on.
Well, I best close for now I need to work on a "thank you" to be published in the pioneer to close out with this community since all they know how to do is "talk" about us, so just going to do a "thank you" and tie ends with those who want to "talk".
Tomorrow may go into Chicago with Jeremie for the day, I am finally getting my laptop... since the computer I am working on is DYING since its a "combo" unit of Jer's. I am looking forward to the day with Jer, I need to get away for awhile.
Jer thought he was going to have to go to CA but found out tonight he is not :) YEAH!!!
I am so looking forward after today just to be with my kids and my husband as much as I can, this is where I need to be!!!
I love them all deeply and if people dont know that then they dont know me at ALL!!!!

So until I blog again~ family and friends are my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well here we are Tuesday... this week has been very long and hard so far and its only Tuesday... I did pretty good today, I didn't cry until I got home later this evening but I think its lack of sleep and considering the boys trashed my living room... after I spent all night cleaning here at the apartment, literally all night catching up on cleaning and organizing closets here since we lived in a "closed space"(well thats what it feels like somedays), but anyhow most of my day consisted of getting shop ready for the "BIG SALE" and getting the back room cleaned out, tugged away at it all day and I can honestly say very happy with the progress but feeling very sad just knowing I am bringing the shop to its end of the chapter. I just have really no words to express the feelings I have now...
Just want to thank all of you who helped tonight and thanks to Abby and Billy for helping a TON last night. Tonight was a little change of pace I had some "early bird" shoppers so that was nice but hard too... since it was Abby's mom, and my "regular girls" traveling to the store together for shopping and enjoying each others company. I just appreciate them being the loyal customers they were to me over the last few years and appreciate their support in the closing. I hate the feeling of "letting my customers down" by closing and its hard explaining to them why its happening but I just hope they all realize this decision wasn't an overnight deal... it was a LONG hard process and I still contemplate on it... but deep in my heart I need to be here with my boys while they are young and be their mom and be there for Jer as much as I can and I know the customers that know me as a person understands my reasons but I am just not looking forward to the "typical Cascade snobs" who can do nothing but critize my actions and there will be a few of those this weekend just being at the store to be there... terrible to say but I know its bound to happen.
A little thank you in here for my friend Diane, THANK YOU for the cute little "pick me up gift" as well as a Mother's Day gift.
You seriously couldn't of picked a better day to give it to me other than today :) THANK YOU for lifting my spirits! For that little Ms. Abigail, thank you for your wonderful card of words, you have a way with words that makes a person feel good!! I read it this am and it meant a LOT!!!
Update on house... brick ledge is being worked on this week... so that is a + for the week :)
Well I am going to close, the no sleep last night is starting to sink in and I need to get a few things done yet.
Hope this finds you all well!

WOW... its been awhile since I last posted... sorry I am slacking :( Well today is my Goddaughter, LIANA's 11th BDAY :) so Happy Day to her!!! Today was Mitchel's first soccer game in DBQ, they played a remarkable game, Mitchel played very well, needs to work on a few things but for his first game he did really well, they did loose 2-0 but the ref... did not make any calls... so that was little disappointing for the boys as well as the parents on the side lines :(

This am before the day began... spent the am with Abby catching up, showed her our new wheels, and the house since its been quite sometime since she's walked thru it, it was a time! She also got my maternity clothes that I had stored at my brother's house, just hope she can find somethings that work for her since she is so tiny :) I needed a girls am just chatting and chilling out for awhile. After I got home I got Blade and Issac ready and we headed up for a baby shower of good friends of ours, time is ticking for this little baby to come meet us all, we are all excited for them!!

I saw little Sophie and Darby today since they are in their cousin's wedding today here in town, they looked absolutely ADORABLE!!!!! When I walked in the church Sophie came running towards me, it was a highlight of my day!!! I didn't get to see the older boys and Diane but thats ok I am sure they looked great as well!

So what else happened this week... well Jer and I celerbrated 10 years of marriage on Thursday, we took off for Chicago for the day and came back Friday, it was a nice little get away. Not sure what it is about Chicago but I really like going there, I did some shopping and Jer worked for awhile (yes at the mall) and he had a few calls he had to take care of as well, we looked at new rings I think I have an idea of what I want since we both decided that we were going to get new rings at some point but we obviously have many many things to buy for the house first!! So in due time... we will have a small celebration with our family and close friends and exchange rings sometime this summer:) After the mall we headed out to IKEA, I love this store!!! I just can't wait until our house is to the point where I can actually buy things for it and take it home and do things with it but I got LOTS of ideas, we did buy lights for Blade's bedroom, and a few can lights for widow's peek and a few other odd things, then after that we headed over to the CHEESECAKE FACTORY for supper! since its one of our favorite places to go when we are out of the area and its not around here, then we headed our way off to find the hotel since Jer didn't have a clue where it was... but we got there:)

So a wonderful 10 years its been for us through all the good and some tough times but thru it all we are still LIS n JER and hope for many many more great years together!! We have grown and found so many many good friends over the years. We count our blessings for each other as well as all the support from our families and friends throughout these years. Our 3 boys are the love of our life and just watching them grow is incredible.

We got home Friday and I was checking our voicemail at home... well Issac had a BAD week and a VERY bad day at school on Friday, I am so bothered by what happened that it makes me sick to my stomach just thinking of it, so needless to say Issac is punished for quite sometime :( Why is parenting so hard sometimes? I believe and hope that I am instilling good qualities in my boys as well as teaching them right from wrong. I have talked to a few of you about this and dont want to get into details on here but I am just so "beside myself" on this little situation we have here at our house and all I can ask of you who are reading this is just pray for me and Issac and Jer right now and hope this can work itself out and he realizes what he did was VERY BAD!! and hope it NEVER happens again!!

Well I am closing I wish all those MOTHERS who are reading my blog a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy your day with your kids and hug and kiss them when you can :) Our time with them is just TOO precious!!

I guess we are leaving in a bit to go pick our a TUB for our house :) need to get it so it can get put in before the walls gets completed.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!!

Just one of those days today... just stressed out today with all that is going on in life in general. I went to the shop today to work on a few things in the back room and well... just couldn't do it, so I bailed and came home and did somethings here.
I finished up my mailing for the "close out sale" confirmed all the ads that are going in the papers, so that is all done but I have a TON to get done in back room since its now rented as of June, not sure on date yet and her opening date but in time that will all be known soon.

Just a dull day today for me, I did lots of thinking on the house and shop and just life. I count my blessings for the 3 beautiful boys I have and for Jer being the husband he is :) He has been stressed over work and house and a close friend death so needless to say I am worried about him as well.

Today I met up with Diane for lunch so that was a nice break to "stop thinking" and just enjoy lunch with her, I did give her a charm of "THE GREEN CUPBOARD" today for her bracelet, that was tough but good, and no I didn't cry :) I however did want to cry today when I walked into the building down there today... just seeing that Mary is taking over the entry space as much as she can since I am no longer there, I noticed it before but today it just hit me cuz I know the days are counting down until it becomes another storefront... just mixed emotions... please dont think I am not happy for Tammi because I am very much so and I wouldn't want anyone else in there, its just letting go is tough.

So no news really on the house ... brick guy was in contact with us and he is very much eager to get started, another contractor happy to be working on this house... so that is a good feeling. I just wish it would stop raining for awhile and dry out up there so we can get brick ledge in, and sounds like well maybe later this week that will happen.

A good thing to look forward to this week is OUR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY on Thursday, Jer is going to take the day off and we are going to go into Chicago for the day and evening... so that was a nice surprise for both of us since we weren't sure it was going to work out. We have decided that we are going to "renew our vows" with new rings at some point... and have a celebration at a later date since we would like to have it at our new home with family and friends. Can't believe it was 10 years ago this time I was getting ready for our wedding trying to make sure everything was perfect... where does time go? Its been a wonderful 10 years together and hope for many more!!! He is the love of my life :)

Tonight Mitchel had his music concert, they did a good job!! I enjoy going to those things, they are fun for the kids and fun for the parents to watch. WOW he is growing up on us... turning into the little man... other events that happened tonight, well while we were gone... Jer went strolling with Blade and during the stroll the front tire of the stroller popped off while Jer was "rollerblading" behind the stroller... the wheel goes off, Jer falls and then the next thing he knew the stroller rolled and (Blade was still in it) So Jer said he rushed to get to the stroller to see if Blade was ok and he said he was expecting the worse since... it was a bad accident, but Blade was overall ok, he got a great big gooseneck bump on his forhead and a few scrapes... and then Jer said that Blade was screaming " get my cars, get my cars" since he had 4 little micro machines with him in his cup holder, Blade didnt care really that he was hurt he was more worried about where his cars went... cute but not cute... ya know? So I am like shaking as Jer was telling me this story because too I was thinking this could of been so much worse but someone was watching over them :) THANK U GOD!!!!

Well its late and WOW I am actually tired at 11:30 and ready to crash... hope this find you all well

Few pictures from this weekend, Blade lookings so CUTE and the HAPPY newlyweds :)

Well wow... weekend went SUPER fast... Friday seemed like it was here and gone... did a few thing around the apartment until about 1pm, ran out to tan and get my nails done for the wedding... then it was time to gather all the boys and bring them to their haircuts, and then we were off to the wedding rehersal... that time passed, I ran out to Kohls to see if I could find a black spring "dressy" coat for the wedding since chances were it could be cold... so needless to say I found one but better yet... on the clearance rack, paid $23.00 for it :) Off to meet the boys and Jer at pizza ranch since he took them to pick a game and movie for the night, then after supper ( only the kids ate) we ran the boys home where Molly was waiting for us... and then Jer and I were off for the evening, went for supper at Houlihans and to a movie... we saw UNITED 93, wow what a movie... really makes you think about 9/11... I was bothered by it a lot that night and think I am still troubled by it... just makes you really wonder what all happened that day, and to be a family member loosing a loved one. I just count my blessings everyday since my husband is on the go ALOT lately, and I will never forget his mom calling me that am... asking me where he was without having any idea what was going on. Makes me shiver even thinking about it. Then we got home and I realized I had a voicemail
Now for Saturday... what a morning... I went and got my hair done, in the meantime Jer was in charge of getting Issac out to Angie's for a haircut... well he overslept... so ... we had to make arrangements to have his haircut. I got home about 9:30am and had to sew the pillow that Blade was carrying up since he tore the ribbon off it... Jer and the boys were just taking their sweet old time getting ready, Jer took Issac out to get his haircut, in the mean time I started getting Mitchel and Blade ready.
I had Blade almost dressed (at this time its like 9:45am) and he was being a little "BLADEITUDE" just being whiny and not sure what his deal was... so Jer gets back from dropping Issac off, he was trying to keep him happy... "showing him how a scissors works cutting paper", Jer walked away and I didn't realize he had the scissors yet and Blade went to lay down on the bed while I was putting his shoes on, and the scissors slits his nose, blood immediately on his tux shirt... I completely freaked out since we were to be at the park for pictures at 10:30... it was a little minor cut but it could of been so much worse! So Blade is upset that his "pretty tux is messy" and this is exactly what he said and then I feel bad for flippin' out like I did. So Mitchel and Blade are ready to go for now... (we called in and got a different shirt for Blade from the Tux Shoppe) and Jer and Issac weren't ready yet and I am f' freaking out... cuz I HATE to be LATE!!! So I help Issac get ready, Jer sits down and looks up on his laptop "how to tie a tie" I could of screamed at this point!!!! since it was like 10:15am and we weren't out the door yet!
Why is it every wedding we are involved in something has to go wrong? Why?? So its like 10:30 we are leaving Cascade and we have to go downtown DBQ before we get to the arbortium where the wedding ceremony is taking place (Bride and Groom knew what happened and was well aware of the situation) but still... I felt SO bad!!!! So we are at the park, Blade gets his pictures taken with Sean and Melody and everything is cool ~ with time to spare to catch my breath before the wedding starts, in the meantime my boys are climbing trees and Blade is rolling in the grass and I'm just not caring... figured Jer was right there... he could take care of the situation, right?? So now its wedding time... Blade was lined up where he was supposed to be and Jer was with him but I thought I would go make sure he was all in "tact" yet... and then I get up there by him and he wouldn't let me leave, was cute but I was a little afraid he wasn't going to go thru with it... since he kept throwing the pillow and said "I dont want this" then I told him I had bubbles and candy waiting for him in the car, and he looked at me and said " I dont want to do this mommy" but then it was time and I put the pillow in his hands and off he went hestiantly but he did it. Open park weddings for kids ... not sure if its a good thing since my boys and the Tigges boys were running loose, nothing major happened which is a GOOD thing!!! just boys being boys. So anyhow ceremony is over and we gather the boys and mingle among friends for awhile and then we all agree on COLDSTONE for ice cream before we head out to the reception and then I had to stop at Target since Issac had on WHITE socks with a black suit! can you tell we were in a hurry? So I just wanted to get this clear with Issac that was a no no... and correct it, and I needed a DP before the reception just incase it was COKE product wedding... So we are at the reception, kids jump out immediately to go play with the Tigges boys for the day, they really do play good together and stay busy. Reception was fun, Jen and I BS'd a lot, drank together, danced a few songs, we even had the new mommy to be Michelle out on the floor, she is just too darn cute pregnant!!! that little belly :) And for Seth's mom... she is a keeper, I wish I had her in my life as my mother inlaw :) We share a deep secret from the wedding, she is just SO FUN!!!!! So reception is over, Jen and I drive into help clean up while Jer runs kids home and gets Molly for the night, had a beer during clean up duty and then all of a suddden Jerry Pasker says "Lis, why is Sean still here?" so I go whoop his ass to leave... and he says "where am I going to go and what am I going to do"... thinking hrm... pal... so go I go have a chat with Jerrry... still they are sticking around so I bring Eric (Sean's brother) over, and well enuf was said for him to leave :) it was quite the entertainment :)
So after clean up, I hang out with Jen... and Jerry until Jer shows up, I was quite buzzed at this point but ok. Got in our SUV and drove to Ron and Jen's for a few drinks and yummy snacks... well during this point I am not sure what got the best of Jen because she was feeling "real good" by the time we were leaving for Houlihans for supper, so we arrive at Houlihans waited about 20 mins to be seated, then we got our table and Ron walks in without Jen... I'm thinking can't be, she's not at home... so Ron tells me she is in the van ready to pass out and I am thinking what the hell... did she drink a bottle of wine after we left??? So Mel and I go out and help convince her to come inside, the poor thing I just felt so bad for her! She couldnt of said enough nice things about Mel and I on the walk to the restraunt, just a really cute fun drunk :) So we are all at the table now ready to order drinks and Jen is having the "water" look!!!! next thing I know Ron is getting up with her to take her for a walk but they did come back, then the 2nd walk they didn't come back... I felt so BAD!!!! I really hope she was ok! so I had one drink at Houlihans and called it quits, then I enjoy Mel so so FUN!!! she was buzzing off Martini's. Yes so for one wedding this year I behaved, I watched the gals drink... and I wasn't the dumb ass this time :) Just too old for this shit anymore.
So hats off to you girls... I will drink with you when we go on vacation, right?
So today was "movie Sunday" we went to see RV with the boys, very cute movie! Issac got his glasses, looks so grown up and cute! Got supper and came home.
Until I blog again... Jen hope you are ok :)

Hello All~

Well things haven't been so well for Blade today or yesterday... he has somekind of flu bug, puking and diaherria... POOR KID!! but yesterday he only threw up once and then later on in the evening a little more but WOW the kid has a sore butt.
So last night he layed around on the couch and today he perked up some and then was seeming to act ok this afternoon but he took like a 3 hour nap. I got the boys out of school today since Issac was sick last night too... he had a really bad headache again - so time I made an eye dr. appt... since he had been to the chiropractor several times and that didn't seem to help a whole lot, so guess what? Issac is getting glasses again... he had them before but then the dr. said he didn't need them anymore... but now we are going to have them again. He is depending too much on his right eye to do all the work so needless to say his prescription will be higher on one side vs. the other. Issac is nervous about getting glasses... was very careful picking them out, looked them all over carefully... too much of his mom in him maybe??? So got the glasses and we were off to soccer... in the meantime the boys tell me that Skye and Marissa told them at school today that Samantha ( their first cousin and only cousin on the Miller side) was in the hospital... my heart sank! since Jer called me late last night saying he got a message from one of his brothers saying he thought it was his mom who was in the hospital, but it turns out that it was Samantha... confusing... so at this time none of us knew what was going on, so I did call Jer immediately and sent Brad a msg on his phone since I didn't know if he was at hospital or not and well either way I didn't want to bother calling him since cell phones are restricted in hospitals anymore... sure enough she was in the hospital, the POOR KID!!!! they think its a bacterial infection, at least that is what Brad told me today... nothing worse than having your own kid sick... I know I hate the feeling but to have them hospitalized is 3 times worse!!! Been there done that... and its just a sick feeling inside any parent.
So the kids and I went out to order her some balloons to have delievered since I didn't want to stop up at hospital with Blade being sick, would of loved to have taken the boys up to see her but didn't want to take that chance, but my heart goes out to both Brad and Julie as well as little Samantha!!!!
So after we get balloons ordered, its about 4:45ish... and the coach manager from soccer calls... practice was cancelled... I could of screamed but today it was no big deal since we had to go to Issac's appt. and get Blade a prescription for an ointment... but if we would of been just coming to DBQ for soccer I wouldn't of been happy... but life goes on, its about the little things you do for your kids when they are young, right?
Got bedrooms all cleaned today but got no laundry done like I said I was going to do today... tomorrow I guess. I have all clothes ready to go for Saturday's wedding so that is a HUGE plus for me!
One week ago today we bought the new Toyota... I am getting used to it, there are always thing about any vehicle you like and dont like, right? But overall its not a van... no comparison there but thats ok!! The things I miss most bout the van are the automatic locks when the vehicle starts... not sure why toyota doesn't have this feature, and the other thing is the "child mirror" but both minor things! I LOVE the sunroof!!!!!! the heated seats!!! Jer told me to drive it so I am driving it :) until I get my SOLARA... :) ha ha just kidding... the boys always said mom should get a convertible... so I did look at it while we were car shopping... its sweet! so I joke around with Jer about that since he picked the Highlander out. SO it just an inside family joke, not likely to happen.
Well Jer will be home tomorrow finally... YEAH!!! back to the grind with kids yelling at him for awhile... so that will be a nice break for me :)
Boy oh boy is Mitchel ever growing up... tonight he asks me this " can Melissa go to the wedding with us? " (his little girlfriend) and not to mention he has her picture as his desktop scene on his computer. He talks to her every night on the phone I think... I CAN WAIT for this dating stuff!!!!!!!!! he is just a kid!

Well until I blog again ~ pray for nice weather for the wedding!!!!