Good bye Winter, Hello Spring!!!

Yay is Spring finally here? I sure hope so! It sure has been beautiful the whole weekend and today is great outside!
Blade and I went strolling already today and hope to get out again.

The weekend was here and gone. Mitchel was gone with Grandpa Dave this weekend, so Friday night Issac and Jer went to see the movie "300" they said it was incredible. Blade and I went and ran some errands, I found a few cute things for myself on clearance racks... l LOVE bargians!! Lately I have a "feddish" with crazy shoes... with funky designs and colors. I found two pair for $20.00 so I was happy!! Its truely a sickness like I have with switching my purses out. Oh well, right? Only live life once.
So anyhow I was on a mission after I found my "pokadot" shoes to find a few cute shirts to go well with them so off to Target and Old Navy we were... in the process I loose a shoe... but I knew I lost it at Target so I went and asked them if someone turned it in or if it did get turned in, it was mine. Yeh I know only ME!!! I seriously would loose my head if it weren't attached!
So anyhow movie is over we went to pick up the boys... went to get some supper so we thought "something new something different"... so Ground Round it was, WOW never ever again! It was horid!!!

Saturday, Jeremie took the boys to Sundown for the afternoon and I worked for Tammy at the store, it was a good steady day for her. I enjoy being in the atomosphere. It was a fun day. Then a big surprise... Mel and Michele stopped in for a quick visit, that was nice of them, THANKS GUYS!! I am sorry it didn't work out to bead with you guys. Please don't think I don't want to join you its just a matter of 'when'. I find it hard to balance my time... with Jer's travel, my boys being involved in many things, and keeping up on my house. I promise I will join you sometime, really!!!!

After we closed the store up, Tammy and I went for a short walk before the boys came home. After my walk I did do a few things I wanted to get done before Molly came to watch the boys for the night.
Jer and I were off to our 'usual' night of a good meal at Houlihans then came back to Cascade, I was feeling a little tipsy...didn't eat anything all day and well the drinks were hitting me ... WOW! I was hurtin' a little the next am. Good thing I only drink occasionally. My head is still pounds from the thought of the evening but it was a good time seeing Jason and some other people that evening. We really need to get all our friends together and go out some night soon... hoping this Saturday night will work we will see :)

Ah what else is new? Well I got my haircut and colored last week not sure if I posted that last time or not, but its a fun cut and color. I'm happy with it, I went to Jer's cousin Abby and she did a great job.
Today I did some more cleaning, I wish it was warm enough to shut the furance off and open the windows... but in time I can do that which I hope is soon.

My thought for the day: I help so many people out, well I try my hardest to be helpful and give my advice or thoughts.
Sometimes I just wish the people I give in my life would give a little back. Thats not wrong to think, right?

Well I best close for the day, I have laundry to fold and put away yet and then I want to get outside again.

Enjoy!

Oh Where Thou...

Hello Friends~
No I am still here ... at 605 Garfield St. in Cascade, didn't fall off the earth yet... but thanks to all of the 'concerned' emails and calls.

Life just gets the best of us sometimes, doesn't it? I've been in the "cleaning and organizing" mood lately.

Last weekend I unloaded the attic cubby holes and organized them all - what a job to have done, I was so happy!!! I also rearranged the attic... not sure if its "set up" the way I want yet but its a start of possiblities... just a hard area to work with but I will figure it out soon, I even hung somethings up so that makes me feel good... gotta start sometime, right? Its just hard to "decorate" when construction is in the mode yet but we are getting closer each day.

This week so far I have been on top of laundry... doing it daily ;-) but I have also been home everyday this week too so that helps immensely. I guess after doing the 8+ loads last weekend was like ... "ah no more of this!!" it was insane on all the laundy I was behind on :( but thats life sometimes but it didn't help any when they cancelled school for days... well thats what it seemed like.

Also this week, today infact I helped my good friend, Diane do somethings at their new home. They are moving to the 'farm' of the Callahan family sometime this summer when school gets out. I am very happy for them ;-)

Tomorrow my day is planned FULL, I am doing a 'booth' at the antique mall in Dyersville with some friends and well I am loading somethings up tomorrow to take up there. I am really looking forward to putting this booth together and hoping it will go well for us.

House updates? Well... we may have a finished banister soon... iron ballisters and other supplies should arrive early next week. Our "tree boards" are being kiimed dried right now and then they will be prepared for the flooring for the addition. The best news of all ;-) Kitchen is 'offically' being started in April and we hope to have it in by the end of April or early May, I am SO SO excited about that!!! We have to finalize a lot of things on it yet since its being modified and switched to a different contractor, but yes we will finally have a kitchen :) YEAH!!!!!!!!!! The formal living room was completed yesterday with all the crown molding and trim, french doors. I am so please with how its all coming together. The lockers that we put in the mud room are beautiful now that they got sanded and all prettied up :) it was a huge transformation! Its all the fine details you put into a home that makes it more personal and unique and we are definately doing that in every room.

The boys? Well Mitchel is gone this weekend tractor pulling with my dad again :) They are off to somewhere near St. Louis... crazy I think but its what they love to do, he will get back sometime on Sunday. Issac, well he continues to grow out his hair and is geting ready to get that motorbike out as soon as it warms up :) Him and his dad are going to spend sometime together tomorrow night so that will be fun for them. Little Blade is busy as ever, he had a good week at school and tomorrow he is going to the 'farm' so he is excited :) They are all well.

I come to a conclusion this week, I can't stand "fake" people!!! it annoys me!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also another thing I believe I am a good person and I am a Christian but I may not go to mass every Sunday and pray on a daily basis but does that truely make me a "bad" person? I believe NOT. I have great respect for others, good morals, strong beliefs in God but they may not be "up to some standards" of some family members of mine BUT truth of the matter is I am not choosing to be a hypocrit!! because anymore all they do is preach but don't practice what they preach... and that gets to me!!! I teach my children respect, morals and how to love and to me that means so much more to me and them then "looking good in church". I do apologize if I offend anyone reading this but this is how I feel and I truely believe what Jer and I choose to do in life with our children is our choice and should not have to live by what our family members "believe" is right, is not for everyone and it doesn't make us bad people!!!! I love my husband and children and we believe the way we live each day is wonderful because all we need is each other. On a another note being a good Catholic is being non - judgemental, isn't it? Anyhow I just had to get this off my chest tonight.

So instead of going on and on, I should just close this blog ;-) but in all seriousiness... isn't being a good person really what matters in life? I want to hear some thoughts.

I wish you all a great weekend ahead. I am ready for the time to change and Spring to be sprung! I have my walking shoes ready for those nice nights coming ahead.

Love ya all!!!

Oh Wednesday...

Another cold day in Iowa! Will it ever go away??

The boys got out of school today at 12pm due to the "snow/ice storm" we were getting... hrm well where was it? No, I am glad actually that it bypassed us ... well at least I think it did unless it comes hard tonight.

The boys were off to the farm for the day after school got out. Blade went home with grandma and grandpa after church this am. He was so excited to go with them. Infact when we got to mass and were there for awhile he realized grandma was there so off he went to sit with her. He was SO SO good I thought for being a little guy and being at church for awhile.

So where was I off for the day? Well, I didn't want to be at home alone without the kids so I offered to help at the Tammy's store for the day. Where did the time go? I would like to think we got some accomplished today. Its looking very "spring time" in there. We hung two long benches on the brick wall and it looks amazing!!! and we turned it into a masterpeice. Tammy and her mom come up with the greatest ideas!!! SERIOUSLY!!! Last night I finished cutting out the letters for "SPRING" so Tammy could hang them up in her store, they turned out super cute, but were a lot harder to cut and make equalivant to size, but I am very anxious to see them up. I helped the girls out until my boys came home about 7ish and then bailed :) but it was a fun day with the gals.

Here's the question of the day... I just hear so much of it lately... so does that mean maybe I spend a little too much time at Tam's store?? "Do I miss it?" I honestly don't and I think its because I feel 'involved' in Tammy's store and she does such a wonderful job with it... now if it would of been someone else renting the spot, I think it would be ALOT harder on me. I can honestly say though now I have no regrets, at the beginning when I closed the doors and walked away I had ALOT of hard feelings but I also knew it was a good thing and it truely has been. Not only did I find more time for my children, my husband and our new home and myself, I gained two good friends on the journey too :) It was God's plan to walk the path and be where I am today and I am so very happy!

I just like to reflect on life sometimes because I believe I appreciate it more and more each day. When was the last time you looked within yourself and think "wow I'm lucky?" You really should if you haven't lately :) My husband and my boys, and my family that surrounds me as well as all of our wonderful friends makes my life complete. I thank you all for being in my life!!!
Love you ALL!!!

Until I blog again... appreciate life, you only get one chance at it :)

HI...

Hi Everyone!
Hope this finds you all warm and cozy in your homes and are very grateful for what you have... did you know there are thousands and thousands of people in Iowa without power, local news states 100,000 people in Iowa without power. That is SO SO frightening and sad to hear!! I will no longer b**ch about what I don't have.

So hope this finds you all recovered from the weekend. We did much of absolutely NOTHING, I mean NOTHING!!! with the exception of going into Houlihans on Friday night since Jer said the highways were fine, and they were. We ran into our good friends, Jerry and Mel. They enjoyed a yummy supper too then after supper we met up at our table and headed to the casino.
I'm not much of a gambler and well... I really don't enjoy it but ya know what? Its great when you win :) YES, I actually won!!!! Can you believe that? I walked away with $109.50 ahead even after loosing my $20.00. It was a fun time, THANKS PASKERS!!!
Mel got lucky too, she came out $25.00 ahead I think. Its a great feeling when you actually win instead of them taking your money. I've decided that heck... Jer and I go in there enough that maybe this would be a way I could "try" to win some new furniture... so my savings is started already :)

So yes on Saturday when the ice storm came down my children were out playing, even my BIG child was out there! They were having a riot and I enjoyed watching them from inside with Blade. In the afternoon we were BIG bums and hung out in the attic and watched some movies, we bought FLUSHED AWAY for Blade the night before so that was one movie we watched and the other was GOAL. Both good family movies. In the evening, Jer made a yummy supper - marniated steak with mushrooms and onions, lemon peppered chicken breast, baked potatoes, and all the other trimmings and to top it off we had ice cream for desert :) It was a nice family day!!!

Sunday... well we did it again! Got up and made some yummy breakfast!! Then did absolutely NOTHING the rest of the day... it was great! Oh and did I mention that we were out of heat too over the weekend on our upper level? They had to "re run" our gas line and the process started on Thursday and was not complete until yesterday about 4:30. It was friggid but at lease we had our main floor heat circulating up so it could of been worse but we survived :) I happily report its all better now!!

Jer is off to Boston today. I awoke to Blade not feeling the best so I am keeping him home today. Mitchel got all dressed up for his music concert at school today, tie, dress shirt, and it all! He looked like a little man. WOW he is growing up fast!!
I was supposed to get my haircut and color this am but cancelled since Blade is home sick today so maybe I can still get it done this week... well I am hoping but we will see.

Best run, Blade is needing his mommy :) Have a good day friends!!

UPDATES AT THE MILLER'S

Wow hasn't the weather been great the last two days?? Yes I am SO ready for Spring to be here!!! although I don't want the muddy yard that we appear to have already :( hopefully we can get some rock soon or something.

Today was "ski day" at school for Issac. Jeremie took the day off and went with Issac. Issac was SO looking forward to spending the day on the slopes with his dad. My friend Diane and I took up lunch to the boys and hung out for a bit. While standing up there in the snow, I did get a "little urge" to want to get out there, it was very tempting... but then I turned my back and saw Jer's mom get off the lift and down on her butt she went and all I thought then was ... 'o that would be me so ahhhhhhh nevermind' but the temptation was definately there! It was absolutely beautiful up there, the kids probably could of taken their coats off, thats how warm it was, they really did get a nice day.

Tonight Mitchel had a basket ball game, it was at "my school" where I went to school as child from Preschool to 8th grade. WOW did that ever feel a bit weird since I haven't stepped foot in that place since I graduated from 8th grade. Lots and lots of memories came back to me as I walked thru those doors, even the smell is the same. Seeing all the buses lined up in front of school was the same.. then walking into the gym... totally the same color scheme, floor, and smell again, Felt good to see my son play ball on the floor I once played ball on, ya know?

Hard to believe I was once a kid and now I am a mom and a wife... seriously where does time go?? but you know I wouldn't change it for nothing, I absolutely love my life and am very grateful for what I have.

Whats new with little Blade? Well... not much, he had school today and this morning getting him ready, he said the darnest thing "mom, but I quit school" and was very bucky about wanting to go. He is not a morning person like his daddy :) But of course when I went to pick him up this afternoon he looked happy and couldn't wait to tell me what was in his bookbag :) He made a lion today, and wrote his name. He has been doing really well with getting the "idea" of writing his name, definately has the B, l, and a down, its pretty cute!!!

We had a stressful Saturday night. Jer awoke to a sound of "crying", it was so loud that for a second he thought it was Blade crying... well it wasn't it was our other baby BUZZ crying out in the hallway, so he picked him up and brought him in our room and set him on our bed, several minutes later he was crying and wanting to get off the bed, and as he jumped off the bed he was crying, it was horrifying!! So Jer gets up with him and I run off to get some wipes since he is sick and we needed something to clean up the mess. When I come back in the room BUZZ is laying there very still... not moving at all and I absolutely lost it, I was a wreck, crying and just couldn't stop crying. Buzz is just not a cat, he is a HUGE member of our family, and so much a part of our lives... especially Issac's and I just wanted him to snap out of it and be Buzz again.

We sat with him until he was asleep and we knew he was asleep.... but I couldn't really sleep after seeing what flashed in front of me and I was worried sick! Jeremie believes that he ate something bad... and his intestines are shutting down, but the way he was acting at first Jer thought maybe he was having a stroke... it was all very very scary!!!

So how is Buzz now? Well today he is Buzz, yesterday he started to come around in the afternoon but is not eating a lot but is drinking again. We take him to the vet tomorrow after the several calls - I pray it all goes well!!!

Whats shaking here at the house? Well... French doors went back on yesterday... they are not stripped or anything but they are on and look AWESOME!! Dustin got the trim going on in the blue room. Lots of sanding and stripping of doors, trim, etc are being done as well. Drywall is close to being done in theater room, should be complete tomorrow until the final spray coat gets applied. We went hard at it this weekend and absolutely cleared out the basement and organized as much as we could, feels pretty good to have a clean basement :) Hopefully the other rooms can get a start on them within weeks - I need to see the basement complete soon, Im starting to go "dust stir crazy", is just sicking when you clean a room and its dust instantly. I know I know it'll be worth it at the end... but just want to get closer to the end, ya know?

Well I better go fold that laundry and kill some more dust bunnies! Hope this finds you all having a good week - get out and enjoy the nice weather, who knows if its here to stay or not??

VALENTINE'S DAY

HAPPY 'LATE' VALENTINE'S DAY to all of you I missed yesterday! It happens to be one of my favorite days...

WHY? just because!! its SO important to tell all the people in your life how much you love them on this special day! I love to spend this day with my loving husband and my 3 wonderful kids! They truely are my life and I want them to know on Valentine's Day and everyday of the year for that matter how much I love them all!! As well as all my close friends - I love you all!!!! For those who think Valentine's Day isn't important... IT IS!!!!! to me!!!!

So what did I do for the day of LOVE... I got up early and got the kids off to school then Blade and I were off to pick up Jer in CR at the airport since he flew into CR rather than DBQ since there were lots of cancellations and the Boston airport was shut down yesterday... so needless to say my hubby went thru a lot to get home to me for Valentine's day!!! It really was SO nice to see him since I know he went throught A LOT to get home. So Jer I thank you again for making it possible.

So after the running from CR to DBQ, Jer went to do some work for awhile in DBQ and I went back home and got a few things done and got the small gifts I got for the kids for the VDAY, got them all a movie :) and their favorite candy. School got out, Jer took the kids to Sundown for a bit for their special treat too, Blade and I stayed at home and hung out in the attic.

Jer and I exchanged our little gifts, and I got the most beautiful roses!!! they look fake but are SO real!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!!
Then we were off to a night out of town... did a few errands, stopped at Betty Janes for some treats then we off to our favorite place for a yummy meal. A real relaxing evening with my Jer is all I needed for this special day, that is just priceless to me!!

So um... today not much happened today, boys were all off to school today. Blade had his little Valentine's party at school today since school was cancelled on Tuesday and he got LOTS and LOTS of candy. I went to help Tammy at the store until it was time to go get the boys after school, she got a TON of new merchandise in and needed to get it tagged so she can get ready to "re ramp" for Spring! That gal gots LOTA talent!!!!! I am so proud of her!!! She just recently gave the Club 528 a HUGE make over. I can't wait to see it, we are going to go there tomorrow night to see it. I am sure its absolutely beautiful!!!!!

So tonight Mitchel had a basketball game. He got to play alot!!! was very aggressive tonight and when he shot the ball and made it he would just glow, as a parent that is just a wonderful feeling seeing your child happy :) Blade was having a 'sugar high' tonight from all his candy he got at school. We had a awesome supper tonight!!! Thanks to Jenn Supple Nadeau was so kind and brought us lasagana and a very yummy salad, it really means a lot to have a home cooked meal when you are "kitchen lis" so we were all 'oohing and awhing' over it!!! The pizza oven and microwave really limit our cooking abilities, ya know??? So Jenn thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

House update... we'll Dustin is working very hard on finishing the floors in this house, putting in new boards and correcting the messed up boards. He truely has a TON of talent!!!! and is remarkable at what he does!!!! The lockers are now all sanded, just waiting to be poly'd, and a lot more stripping has been done this week, things are progressing well!!! The theater... well it's still under "drywall stage" and the "sanding" stage... its taking flippin' forever!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!

Weekend Plans? Saturday Jer and I need to get the basement cleaned out as much as we can so Dustin can have more room to work, and we are clearing out anything we are not using on the main floor at the given time. So LOTS of work will be done on over our weekend in our basement. We need to see the basement closer to the finish line so I am doing whatever its gonna take this weekend!!!

I best close I have things to do yet tonite!! Have a super weekend!!!

Snowy and Cold Day...

Hello all of you out there :)

Hope this finds in you in warm place... I'm really getting tired of the snow, it can REALLY go away now!!

Not a whole lot new here. Jer is off in Boston until tomorrow, the boys were home the last two days since school was cancelled, and tomorrow they get out at 1pm.

The last few days I have been a COMPLETE bum with the boys... have piles of laundry to fold so hoping I will get all that done in the am before the kids go off to school, but I must say today I did get the boys rooms and the upstairs bathroom all clean. I love the smell of clean!!

ARGH dust and more dust thou... on the main floor. Its a all day project to keep things kept up downstairs... so this week I'm just cleaning it on Friday so its clean for the weekend. Gotta keep the happy thoughts in my head though we are coming a long way and Dustin is doing a remarkable job with everything. Still got drywaller in the theater room, should be wrapped up by the end of the week. Hoping the wiring can get done soon in the other rooms since the drywaller is running out of time at our house and he is booked up until May if we don't get him in now we will have to wait ... and well I don't want to wait! I just want to keep things moving forward so this house can finally be more of a home soon. YES I'm getting a BIG itch to decorate it too... absolutely drivin' me insane my walls are bare.

Lets see what else is new... well I was supposed to help Tammy and her mom with the "Redesign" of the CLUB 528 but with school being cancelled I didn't get to help them today... so hoping maybe tomorrow I can lend a hand if they are still at it.
I felt bad but I needed to be here with the kids since there are LOTS of bodies and running equipment action happening here.
Tonight I went out to give Angie at Dreams to Reality some "redisgn" ideas. I am going to help her put things together when she gets more items collected. I am really excited to help her though!! Its the most important part I miss from my store is putting things together, and lately I have been missing it ALOT! Little jobs like this will keep me connected, ya know?
Yes, Yes Billy I will get things on your walls in the kitchen.... well I wont hang it but I will lay it out for you :)

So anyhow tomorrow is one of my favorite days... Valentine's Day!!!!! Make sure you tell all your loved ones how much you love them and appreciate them :) It's an important day for love!!!

Until I blog again wish you a day full of love tomorrow and stay warm!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLADE!!!!

Ok today is my baby's 4th Birthday... sad and happy all at once... so hard to believe he is 4 already! Seems like yesterday when we were sharing the news with all our family and friends, where does time go, really?? Would love to have another one... but geesh I am just OLD and really have a hard time keeping up with life the way it is... So no more children for this Miller family.

Ok so anyhow Blade is SO excited about it being his birthday today! He took birthday treats to school yesterday (candy necklaces and lafty tafty) of course he picked them out... it was SO SO cute when he was deciding on what he and "his kids" at school would like, it was a 15 min. thinking process for Blade, so I will forever remember it!

Tonight we will go have pizza for Blade's birthday with his Godparents, and open presents and have yummy cake.

So backing up a bit since I last posted... HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY on my blog to my middle baby, ISSAC! We celebrated Issac's birthday on Friday, he is now 11. He had a friend come spend the night, we were off to the PlayStation and Olive Garden since this is what he chose for his special evening, Issac is my most "simplified" child, just so carefree... a lot like me?
So anyhow after we got home from having fun at the PlayStation and having dinner, we drove back to Cascade... from CR... its like 10pm when we were driving home and Issac knows thats when he was born... so we all sang LOUDLY to him and he was just SO happy! I love to see my kids happy!!! We got home, we did the whole cake thing and he opened his awesome presents he got from us, and his friend. Issac wanted "HEELEYS" (they are shoes with a 'roller wheel' in the heel") very cool! and he wanted new clothes, and a few other little things... yes got them all :) SPOILED I know!!! To be a kid again... they have some of the coolest things out these days...

The next birthday we will celebrate is Mitchel's... YIKES 13!!!!! that will be here in March...

So backing up to the events of Thursday evening... a night I don't ever in my life want to re live again!!! I had Jer returning from Switzerland and was on his way home from Chicago - that's all good... right? Well then Blade and I went to Mitchel's basketball game in Dyersville, they won... all good! Issac was at home with his friend Jake, I had called on him since he had a cell phone now... to keep track of him, they had just got to house... and were going to play... so I thought it was all good...
Well on our way home I dropped off a few boys after the game and headed for home, I literally pulled into our yard and Issac called me all in a panic and crying, saying " Jake fell off steps in the attic and hit the bottom steps by the attic door". I put the truck in park and ran upstairs like a mad woman and saw Jake laying on the carpet.... I asked a ton of questions, called Jake's mom immediately (Diane, my good friend is his mom) She said she was on her way, we keep talking to him, I got him up to move to the futon and then finally his mom was here... and I felt like he was getting worse... Diane was SO calm and I was a fricken mess, so I finally decided we were going to call 911 and have an ambulance come since he kept saying when he opened his eyes it was blurry.... that was enough for me. There was no blood or obvious bodily injuries but I knew he had injuries to his head and I was freaking out! Well... 911 is called and my friend Jason is on the EMT crew and he was the first responder... he of course immediately thought it was Issac who was hurt, at that point I was never so happy to see someone finally come... it didn't take long for them to get here but I was really really worried! So they got Jake already to go and off he went in the ambulance. When they left and the lights and siren went on I then LOST it, cried and cried I was so worried!!!! at some point I called Jer and he helped calm me down a bit. Jason called me a little later on saying that they got there and the dr. was with them and he was doing much better by the time they got to DBQ, then Jer got home... YEAH!!! then Diane finally did call us about 9ish saying that they did a CAT scan and everything looked ok, his vision was much better and had a minor concusion and were going to send him home. I was so happy to get that call saying he was going to be OK, and just to hear Diane's voice again made me feel a little better. I also felt really bad for Issac too, he was SO upset by it all and carries some of the blame, but I keep reassuring him that accidents happen and he did a really good thing by calling me right away. I thank Mitchel for being a really good brother and being with Issac while I stayed with Jake.

So with all of that I am happy to report Jake and Issac are both doing well, Jake especially! He is out of PE and recess for awhile so less risk of head injury, and his parents put his bike in the garage until its nice and sunny out again :)

So where are we at now... oh Saturday, well I had asked Molly earlier in the week if she wanted to babysit and of course the boys were excited as much as she was. So we had her lined up to come later in the evening. Well... our planned changed alot throughout the day... We decided that we were going to spend the night somewhere and have dinner and a few drinks... so we booked a room at the hotel connected with Houlihans. Molly came and stayed with the boys for the evening - they had a BALL!!!! It was a night of food, drinks, gambling, and relaxing for Jer and I. I really enjoyed the evening, but I drank alot for not having anything to eat ALL day... so it hit me fast... one long island ice tea... made me a bit goofy! I was sending the most off the wall txt msgs ... so Mel I apologize!!! if I got annoying!! Yes I had only had one at that point... jeesh! So by the time Jer and I were done eating we were stuffed with food... we even had dessert for the first time there... thats how loaded we both were... a few drinks to many! We sobered off for a bit and then went to the casino and blew some $$... didn't win much at all... all out of fun! A good night, may turn it into a monthly thing for us... time will tell on that one...

Sunday came... we got home about 12pm made the kids a late breakfast, I made some chili, and Mitchel's cheese dip for supper later on in the evenig since it was SUPERBOWL Sunday. We watched a movie in the attic until it was game time... we all kept warm in the attic since it was too frigid to go anywhere! A nice relaxing Sunday that went super fast!

Ok... house update... well my corner cabinet in the dining room is complete... just needs to be painted and stained. The lockers continued to be sanded as I sit here and type away on this but they are going to be absolutely beautiful when they are done, I can't wait!!!! Dustin is moving along into the "blue" room this week... starting with finishing the floor... putting walnut accents around outside of the room, it will be cool!!! The theater is still being tackled with drywalling... possibly will be sprayed on Saturday. Much to do down there yet... I have no carpet or paint color picked out yet... but we did buy the hardwood for it when we were in Chicago... just can't wait to see it complete, but believe me its going to be awhile yet.
Dustin is doing an amazing job with our house, I love all that has been done already!!!!

Well I should end this... its getting LONG!!!! and I have tons of laundry to get folded and put away!!

Until we talk again.... keep warm!!

Not much new...

Well hello out there, not much new and exciting here except Jer is in Switerland... lucky guy!!!!! I'm just very curious to know if its REALLY beautiful out there! Hi Jer... MISS YOU!!!!!!

Yesterday was a busy day here at the house, many bodies again, drywall continues to be hung, Janet was here working on trim, and Dustin was hard at it putting our house back together :) He is going to start in the "good room" today, Not sure if the bricking is complete or not... looks to me it has to be cleaned yet... and just hope that gets done and doesn't happen like our last stone with them :(

Not much happened yesterday with me, I got lots of misc. cleaning done and hung out at home with Blade. I got Mel's msg. on my phone in the am... and my heart absolutely sank and was beating for her!!!! Still many thoughts of you!!! How is little Gary doing? We put a little package together for our buddy and will go out probably tomrrow... need to find a box :) What is your address for sure?

Mitchel wanted to hit the slopes last nite so I ran him up and made a quick trip into DBQ.. just to kill time waiting for him. It was very cold an I tried to warn him of how cold it was going to be but he didn't care... he got about 45mins in before he called me, so he got his "fix". Issac went to Quintons, and Blade rode with me... Grandma S. offered to watch him but he wanted to stay with his mommy :)

Last night we got home and all watched tv together in the attic... it seems to be the warmest room in the house without a doubt... felt like we were in a sauna last night... but it was nice!

Tonight we have an away basketball game with Mitchel, Issac probably wont want to go :( and little Blade he can't wait to go!
Then there is an event at school since its Catholic School's week... not sure if the boys want to go to that or not, totally leaving it up to them.

Pretty boring I know but I have a dr's appt. this am and want to get some things done before I go.


Stay warm!!!!!!

BlackBerry...

Yes I am now a owner of a BlackBerry (a phone)... complicated but overall once I get the gist of it... I think I may like it. I have 30 days with to "test" it out. Reason for getting a new phone? Well... I wanted both of our boys to have a phone and well now they do, I added Issac to our plan for $15.00 today, and $5.00 a month, he got the new phone and Mitchel got my old phone... and I went ahead with the BlackBerry.

I just feel better knowing that they now both have a phone and have to be 100% responsible with it. I have no doubts with Issac, he is pretty responsible to owning things:) but with school... well we still need to work on that more!

I got all the laundry DONE today, YEAH!!!!! Still lots of cleaning to do this weekend, Dustin is going to start on our "formal living room" next week so I need to clear it out. Billy, if you want the couch, you need to COME get it this weekend! has to be out by Sunday night!

The lockers got installed this yesterday and today, they look GREAT!!! I am so glad we put them here in our house, just love how it is all coming together! Continued progress is a happy site!!!! Drywall starts tomorrow in theater room. Brick walls in basement will be cleaned up tomorrow and they will be outa here, but the nasty smell will be in the air tomorrow... ICK!!! Cleaning of bricks smells like rotten eggs - literally!!!

Tonight Mitchel had a basketball game, he scored a basket, he was thrilled, we were all cheering for him... and he was GLEAMING!!! It was great to see that shot since he plays so hard. This weekend is a big tournament for the boys so we will be busy with that on Saturday. No real plans this weekend, hope to get to go to a movie tomorrow night with Jer and maybe the Paskers... Then next week, Jer is off to Switerland from Sunday to Thursday.... a long week ahead and my Issac will be 11... where does the time go??

Well if I don't blog again until next week... have a great weekend!!!

Chicago

Well I returned from Chicago last night, I left on Sunday with Tammy, Janice and Kerri for market. I was unsure if I wanted to go but all in all I was glad I went, it was a nice little break from home and all the chaos, but I was SO ready to come home!!
When we left on Sunday the weather was rather crappy from home to DBQ. but after that it was tolerable, so Tammy kept on goin'. I was with the girls until Monday afternoon then Jer came into Chicago to get me and we spent the night in Shaumburg, so yes it still was a Jer/Lis Chicago trip... that made me happy!!! Thank you Jer for coming to get me!!!! It was a great little get away from the boys and home.

I enjoy my life, I don't appreciate it enough thou! I have the greatest husband and 3 wonderful boys whom I adore!! I have a great family that surrounds me as well as a wonderful group of friends!!! I don't tell any of those special people in my life how much they mean to me enough, but I sure hope they all know!!!!

I truely have to admit, this little trip was harder than the last, leaving home and the boys my life is tough on me!!! I got homesick!!! and I could not wait for Jer to come into Chicago. Maybe I am too much of a 'homebody' now... not sure but I really missed the kids and Jer alot this time and it was great to be home again last night.

Well whats new on the home front? Well the brick continues to progress in the basement, we put an 'arch' doorway in and it looks great! They hope to finish it up by the end of the week... YEAH!!!! less mess, and let me tell you it was messy!!!!
Well its sure is great to have Dustin back in the action here!!! He is doing an incredible job with the trim and all the little finishing touches! I was completely stunned when we got home last night, he had the mud room all trimmed out, it looks so GOOD!!!!! I absolutely L.O.V.E. it!!!!!!!!!! He took a peice of "old molding" I had and templated it and made new headers and WOW just looks awesome!! Today he tackled the lockers we had at the bank building and took them out and started constructing them back into place here, they will go in our mudroom. I can't wait to have that done, looks so COOL!!

Every little detail of this house and the vision we have for it is finally coming to life, it feels so good!!! It was worth all the headache and hassel now that I see it in front of me, but I will not lie... its been hell getting to this point but surely worth the wait!

So today my day consisted of picking up the peices of what I left behind on Sunday... I think I did 5 loads of laundry... and have most of it put away but still some awaits for me to finish up tomorrow. I got a bad headache again... it was weird too... like a sharp pain in the back of my head :( so that took me down this afternoon... and needless to say didn't get much done.

Life is great, enjoy it!!!! Abby I am so glad to see you bloggin'!!!! Welcome!!!!!

Until I blog again, did you go out to sled ride yet???

My little boy!

I just wanted to post this as a single post...
Some of you may know and some may not but little Blade got to hit the slopes on Saturday with his dad and his brothers.
Yep... he got to go snowboarding!!! YEAH!!!!! He was SO SO happy!! Jer said he was a "natural", and when I asked him if he had fun, he said "yeah until it got dark... I didn't like the dark"... pretty cute!!!
I will post a picture later on.

American Idol...

Hello...
How many of you watched American Idol last night? WOW!!!! oh my all I have to say is where do those people come from? They can't all be Seattle residents, can they? The one gal who looked like she had a fricken "sunburn" with those nasty ass tights on her arms and legs. Oh and then lets see the bigger guy whom reminded me of Punky... that was hilarious!!! then lastly the "monkey guy" GEESH!!!!!! BAD BAD BAD!!!!! The boys and I hung out in the attic last night and watched it, its just so damn quiet up there, just LOVE it!!!

So backing up to yesterday for my day... not much happened, did a lot of misc. things around the house and then took Jer to the airport around 4ish.

House update... trim goes on as I write this, the wall in the basement is being worked on today, and maybe our gas line for the fireplace will get run today. Talked to insulators yesterday they are going to come on Monday, and hope to have the drywallers come on Wednesday.

Not much to blog about for Wednesday... I'll catch up all of you later! Mel - we would love to go to Houlihans with you guys this weekend... let me know what works.

More snow -

What a granite mess :(

Welcome the snow and the cold... are you all enjoying it? My boys sure are but you know... it snowed now and now it can stop and go away :) ... I don't really care for the snow but I did want it to snow for Blade, and let me tell you he is LOVIN' it!!!! Yesterday since there was no school due to the "holiday" the boys played outside most of the day and Blade got in on that action too. Mel- thanks for the boots, they work great!!!!

So since it snowed, it makes LOTS of mud and water sitting on our new granite flooring... frustrating!!! I swear all I get done is cleaning up messes here... our granite had LOTS of dust, mud, snow, water... ICK!!!! today I felt a little overwhelmed... I had LOTS of bodies in this house today, 2 contractors, the brick layers working in the basement, and sweet Janet working on our steps... I know I shouldn't complain, but I just can't wait for that day to just sit in my house alone with no hammering, or saw, or phones ringing :) ... oh that day will come soon, I just have to keep remembering how awful it was in Mexico and how peaceful it is here at night and at the end of it all, it will be WONDERFUL!!!

On a happy note, our "orginal main" contractor is back :) YEAH!!!!!! He came back yesterday and I am just gleaming that he is back in the action here, makes me feel "more comfortable" with it all. His main focus is to get all the trim going on our main floor, while Jesse keeps going on the basement project. Update on the basement... well the "entryway between old basement and new got wrapped up today, looks TOTALLY AWESOME!!!! We are very happy with it. So tomorrow she will start on the other wall. Its all coming together... hard to beleive and see it but we are getting there :)

Still no kitchen but you know... at this point I think I would rather have trim put on everything so it makes it look more complete. When will we have a kitchen? Maybe March... since we are moving ahead with a diffferent contractor from Sand Springs, its good but it makes me a little sad too but thats life.

Well, Jer is off tomorrow to Boston until Friday evening, hope that time flies!! So if any of you read my last blog and curious to know what Jer's bonus was... well he got a 30" work-station Mac screen with a new MacBook Pro... the screen is NICE!!! its bigger than the TV we have, NOW we have to get Jer's office done so he can actually use it. Maybe this is a "sign" for Jer that he should get working in his office rather than in several coffee shops. Is this what Quinn is trying to tell him? I hope he can be working in his office from home sooner than later.

Valentine's day is a month away from today and I did put some hearts up in my windows by the front door entrance. Got most of the Christmas down, need to finish wrapping it up and put it away, as of right now it all sits in my "blue room". I need to haul it up and take it to the basement of the shop where I am storing stuff.

I ran to DBQ this afternoon because I had a dr. appt., I stopped at Target quick beforehand and got a few things for the boys.
They have alot of winter items clearanced out so I stacked up for the boys for next year. I got Blade a coat at the Gap for next year, its flippin' adorable, and I got him two pairs of shoes for $5.00 each when he gets into the next size shoe. Mel... if you need things for the boys... Target and Gap have things dirt cheap. I walked out of the Gap with a bag full for $35.00 and that was including his coat. I LOVE DEALS!!!!!!

So not much else is new at the Miller pad... possible drywall will happen in the basement next week if it all goes to plan since there is a "opening".

Until I blog again... eat some clean snow... well actually dont!!! but get some sledding in :)

Laptop home again...

Hello friends :)

Today was an over all good friday with a only one minor disappointment ... I had to send my laptop into Apple for some service since my laptop would not function on the battery alone... so I opt to send it in on my "apple care" and well it returned to me today which I was dying all week without it... well I got it out of the box, it looked pretty :) they put a new casing around it since I got one of the "white laptops with the dirty appeal" so I complained about it and they replaced it :) YEH... now when you think its all good... it isn't... I asked them to send me a new power cord and they choose not too, why? who knows! So then I proceed to go and actually use my baby... well I couldn't get on the internet - NOW I was a little PO'ed... and I could not figure out why it just would not connect to our internet ... so yes I went all day without my laptop again because I could not connect... but however I didn't feel so stupid when Billy got here and couldn't figure it out either so then I didn't think it was "just me" anymore... thanks for that Billy!! but I will give it to him, he got it to connect to the neighbors which was just SO WEIRD!!!
So here I sit on Mitchel's laptop to type this blog again this week... and needless to say it completely SUCKS!!! I want mine back!!
I can't wait to have Jer fix this little issue... I tried to ask Mel if Jerry could help me a little but oh darn! It will hopefully be fixed later this evening or tomorrow.

What an eventful morning... Jer had told me earlier in the week that a "package" was coming for him today. Well I thought absolutely nothing of it, just thought it would be like a letter type or a small box... OH no it was this HUGE ass box being carried by this 4ft. little Fed Ex lady across our yard to the side door, it seriously was the site... I was laughing plus wanting to literally piss my pants because of the site and what she was carrying. Then when she brings it to the door she states I have two more in the truck for this household too, so I said ok. Well one was my laptop so I was like SO SO happy!!! and the other one was for Jer. Yes I am sorry I can't reveal what it is yet... because well incase Jer would read this blog... but he is absolutely going to FLIP too... so I will be sure to share it with you tomorrow. All I have to say is this... his " one boss" must REALLY like him and want him to work for him or he is doing absolute majic with this dude... I need a job like this... HA HA!!!
No but all seriousliness I am very happy for Jer, he works his ass off and truely deserves bonuses!!! I am PROUD OF YOU JER!!!

So what else happened today... the brick is really making progress in the basement. I absolutely LUV what they have done. I hope to get some picture posted in the upcoming week when I have my laptop back :)

Blade was a little stinker today and decided to do the #2 and use toilet paper... and well he got very useful with the TP and put the whole damn roll down the toilet after he was done doing his duty... and well clogged the toilet pretty good. We had to call grandpa to come fix it since I could not get it to plunge... and he was "PROUD" of what he did... and I was a little steaming since there was water everywhere :( what a mess!!!

Hrm... its 1030ish and my hubby should be arriving in IA soon... so I best close and go find my phone so incase he calls.
So I close on this blog and wish you all a happy weekend!!!

Where's the snow?

Ok I still await the snow... is it coming or not?

Today was an eventful day here at our household. Lots of sledge hammering noises... it was quite annoying!!! but oh well. The bricking process begun today in the basement. Quite interesting appeal we will have down there... we are using the bricks from our old chimney and my parents old chimney in the doorway of the old basement to the new basement. I'm excited about it, but the DUST is back...

I attempted to take down my Christmas decor today but ... well I need containers to put the pretties in ... so I will finish it all up tomorrow or Saturday when I get the containers, as of right now it all sits in my "blue room".

No kids in the house again today... so for that part of the house it was quiet but I seriously am a lost when Blade's not here... I find myself looking for him, its crazy, and feel like I am loosing my mind... yes somedays I get lost in my own house.

Good news for my Mitchel... SO SO proud of him, He won the 2007 National Geographic Bee at school today and now qualifies to go on to the "finals" which consist of a test tomorrow and if he passes he will go on to a contest in Des Moines.
WAY TO GO MITCHEL!!!! I am PROUD of YOU!!!!!!!

At lunch time I had lunch with Tammy since she was off today and we went to see her mom, she was not feeling well so we thought we would go see her, severe sinus infection. I felt SO bad for her!! I got her a turquoise rossary for her birthday and wanted to get that to her too since it came today, its really pretty.

So other than that not much else is new here at the Miller's. Jer is in CA until tomorrow and flies back in tomorrow night. It will be nice to have him home again. No real plans for the weekend as of right now, so ... yes I am boring today.

Please snow!!! Blade wants to hit the slopes at Sundown for his Birthday.

COLD... but I want the SNOW

Ok I hate the cold but I would like to see some snow fall for my kids this winter... does this make complete sense? I would think not but... I do want it to snow simply because little Blade wants to go to Sundown REALLY REALLY bad! and my husband keeps telling him "when he gets big and when it snows he will take him" so I hear this occasionally. Well today was a day when Blade brought it up and was persistant on it... so please let it snow for this little guy so he can get out on the slopes with his dad and brothers.

Today was just a "BLAH" kinda day. Did a shit load of laundry and I am still not completely done with it yet. Just wish for once this could stop for awhile... but then my kids would be WT kids... nah dont want that!!!! I didn't do much else today, I had to run into DBQ later in the day to get Blade's school snacks for tomorrow. He was so cute when we got to HyVee and I asked him what he wanted to bring... he states "cupcakes" (meaning muffins) and fruit snacks, but I kindly suggest like fruit such as banannas, and as clear as day he says "no my kids wont like them" it was so flippin cute I almost pissed my pants!!! He says the darnest' thing at given moments, too funny!!!

Tonight was Mitchel's first basketball game, they won!!! Mitchel didn't get to play until 4th quarter and when he did play he did great! He is really growing up, and it makes me feel old :( Next game is next Tuesday and he is excited about it already.

Lets see what else... not much else is new... completely did not eat good today :( Took the boys to the Bent Rim for supper so that did a number on my diet!! I need to gain WILL POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and gain it much faster! but I did walk on the treadmill today so maybe that counts a little... well guess I will find out tomorrow when I stand on the scale...

Hope you readers are well!! Watch ... the snow is coming...

In the Peak...

Hello everyone :) I know... I'm slacking again but had a busy fun weekend! Its flippin' frigid out today, like really cold when I walked this afternoon ... I so want to get a inside weight system very soon and start doing weights. It looked nice out this am when I got up so thought... I'll go walking, WOW was it COLD!!!! Now I sit here in the coldest room in the house, the widow's peak and post a blog, does that make sense? This will be the 1st time I actually sat up here alone, its very peaceful and I love the veiw that surrounds me.

So to update everyone on my life events... since I posted last, Mitchel returned home safely from Gordiville on Sunday. He seemed to really enjoy the show and took some really good photos of what I saw. Little Blade seems to be adjusting well to the "all day" Preschool, he is exhausted when I pick him up thou... he is definately not a morning person like his dad, but within a few weeks I hope we can get him into a routine and going to bed at a 'normal hour'. For Issac, he is just so full of life and is just so so carefree, he is still having a few homework issues at school but its getting better. He is a lot like me when I was a child... wow did I just admit that??

Back to my weekend, well... Friday I spent the day with Blade, we ran to DBQ. for a few things and were back home early in the day. I got a few things done here and then spent most of the afternoon just reading books and hanging out with Blade. Later in the evening, Jer and I packed up some things to take to the Club 528 to help Tammy get things ready for her mom's 50th surprise birthday party, Jer came home with Blade while I was helping Tammy decorate, then he later joined us for a few drinks and cheese fries, then Jer and I were off to Houlihans for "our nite" away since it was the only available time for the weekend to go.
Now to Saturday, WOW this day just flew by... I got up early to walk and finish cleaning things up here before I took off to DBQ with my mom to do some errands, then we got back and mom helped me put some salads together for the birthday party. Issac and Blade went to the farm for the day and Jer went into DBQ. for his conference calls he had going on.
About 5pm Jer and I went to Tammy's store to convince her mom we wanted to all go for quick drinks and a bite to eat... this was the sceme for getting Janice to her party... the party turned out wonderful! Did Janice really know of the events... well yes and no... she suspected but just didn't know the "time frame" as she states. We had to leave the party before it ended since we had the annual Tigges party to attend - it was a GREAT night. I had a few in me and I shouldn't of... but it was a hell of a day and just figured why not... I know lame excuse!! I felt bad leaving the mess with Tammy and her family but we could not miss the Tigges' party, we've gone every year since we have known them and they are such dear friends to us! It was a "tame" party this year, it was a GREAT time!! Thanks guys!!!! I enjoyed viewing the photos they took of our party from the weekend before... and all I have to say is "OH MY"!!!!! and please keep those tucked away :) We got home rather late like 2am... and I had to be up early for the following day.
So here I am to Sunday, got up kinda early and got my things packed and got the kids things ready since I was going to be leaving for Madison with Tammy and Janice for "market" and was going to be gone until Monday evening. I wasn't sure I wanted to go since Jer was leaving this week to CA until Friday, but now I am glad I went. We antique'd on the way up, I got a few things on the way. So on Monday we went to "market", I always enjoyed this part when I had my store so it was great to go with Tammy and help her get things for her store. It was kinda a let down thou... lots of 'crafty' items, which I felt like I was at a craft show ... it wasn't that great of a show but Tammy did get some cool new things. It was little trip, I realized though this was the first time in years that I left Jer and the boys behind at home over night and went on my own, I don't go on little trips on my own without the kids nor Jer. I did get homesick like mid afternoon on Monday, it was just a little weird that Jer was at home with kids rather than me, but it was good time and glad I went.

So this week... my goal is to eat really good this week, and exercise a lot! Just trying to stay focused on the whole weight loss thing! Last week I got down 5lbs... didn't weigh myself since I got back from the trip yet and almost scared too... cuz I slipped and had french fries from MCD's yesterday :( but I did good with having only 1 pop a day and still doing good with that one !!!!
Jer takes off for CA tomorrow and gets back late Friday night, hope the week goes fast. Also looks like the bricking in the basement may start tomorrow :) My computer got sent off to Apple today... MISS IT LOTS!!!!! Billy, just order yours!!!!! Or did you?

If any of you are in town! Stop in at Cranberry Hollow!!!!! Tammy has all of her Valentines decor up, and the L.O.V.E. I cut out for her looks fricken adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Abby, make sure you stop, its SO SO SO SO SO cute!!!!!

I should really start the swimming this week... Mel, would you be able to go Thursday?

Until I blog again, stay warm its frigid out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Little Boy...

Hi again :)
Wow 2 days in a row for blogging... promise this one won't be so winded' and long.

Today was Blade's 1st full day of Preschool, instead of going 1/2 days on Tues/Thrusday, he will go all day. He is offically a BIG boy now and mighty proud too... he did shed a few tears today when I took him but I think he was a little tired yet and had new faces in his "familiar room". When I went to pick him up he was so excited to see me, he came RUNNING like a mad man, it was SO darn cute!!!!!

Yes, I was lost without him today, felt kinda lonely... couldn't really concentrate on doing anything either, so I shot this day to hell and did absolutely nothing, well I did a load of laundry but seriously did nothing all day :( when trust me! ... there was plenty I could have done... since you know that the laundry never ends here... and I can always be cleaning too! Oh darn I guess saving all of that for tomorrow I guess.

Mitchel was off today to go with my dad and my uncle to Gordeville for the tractor pull weekend, he was so excited to go. Got him all packed up and we went for breakfast with my dad before they were off for the weekend, he will get back sometime on Sunday. He was SO excited to go! Issac and Blade will both be lost puppies without their big brother, Blade already said "school is over... where is Mitchel" like 5x since we got home from school. Just too cute!

So not much happened today - hung out with Tammy and had lunch and was a BIG bum! I did not exercise today either :( that was bad bad!! But I did get 2 walks in yesterday and went on treadmill for 30 mins... so I will be back at it strong again tomorrow, my goal is every other day in the 1st month... so I don't get burnt out, cuz there is NO more wishy washy excuses!!

Mel, when we walking? Will I swim? I hope to... I loved it last year and just need to "make the time" and do it! and looks like if this goes well with Blade going to Preschool, its possible! Time will tell me very soon!

Weekend looks busy, we have a birthday party to attend as well as the Tigges' annual party! all in one night... tomorrow night I have to help Tammy for a bit then hope to go do something FUN, but no drinking will be involved what so ever!!!!

When will it snow??? Jeepers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ringing into 2007...

Wow I haven't posted since last year :( Sorry Friends!!!!! and Mel... sorry you were going thru "withdrawl"... maybe this blog will make up for lost time :) ... or not...

Ok so backing up... Christmas was awesome! I was just so happy to be here in our home! its all I really wanted this year for Christmas... but I seriously have to admit I started getting stresssed out the week of Christmas simply because Jer and I had absolutely nothing for the kids yet... and I like being 'prepared' way before a week before... and we had a few other little gifts to get too for our friends... which speaking... MEL I have a gift here for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and well I was intoxicated when I saw you last! Maybe you will like and maybe you wont... in due time I will know, right?
Anyhow... so what did I get for Christmas? I got my house, my kids, and my wonderful hubby :) I just love them all so very much, they are MY LIFE!!!! I had all my family and friends nearby and that is more to me than anything!! Having really good friends these days are hard to get, so I am VERY grateful for the friends I have!!!
My kids made out like bandits for Christmas! Why is it when we were kids... our parents didn't go overboard like we seem to do today? But I will tell you this... my parents make up for it now, its insane... our kids got so much from them! as well as Jer and I did too, very appreciative but sometimes just crazy!!! Who else feels this way?
So after Christmas passed by... it was a happy day but yet a sad day too... just feel like I go go go and rush to get things ready for HO HO HO and then its all over in a matter of 20 mins or less... but it was FUN seeing the boys react to all their gifts, Blade was REALLY FUN this year!!!! and Issac got a "video camera" and he has been making crazy videos of the boys and us... he is such a "card". Mitchel sure is growing up on us... his big item this year was getting a paint ball gun, so needless today say he was thirlled too but now our shed has "orange dots".

So time passes and I am on a mission to get this house prepared as much as I can for the NEW YEARS EVE party that we are hosting... run run run again! but I will say this... I should of had a party WAY before now, this house was the best I've felt about it since we've been here... its just I felt like I was living in "constant disaster zone" with constant dust and mess everywhere I looked :( so as soon as the attic was carpeted in the "storage areas" I should of been moving stuff up there but I didn't :( because I was waiting for doors to be finished but... got tired of waiting and hauled a bunch of misc. stuff I had in totes to our "storage area", so WOW the blue room was a complete different feel... no more totes and just junk sitting around, Lis was on a mission!!!! There was no "crap sitting around, I was tired of the electrical, trim, random tools spread among our house, it was TIME!!!!! I spent a good solid week cleaning this place top to bottom, and had great help from several friends - thank you all for helping us!!!

So now I believe we are to the point where I talk about the party... WOW I have to say I am a terrible hostess!!!! WOW!!! I was completely disappointed in my actions, but I guess the idea of having the party all week got the best of me, I worked like a dog all week and was completely a nutshell all week... I was probably a BITCH from hell if you would ask Jer :( Its just I wanted things to be right, I wanted 'less of the undone' sitting around, and so it looked presentable and less hazardous, because believe me we had crap everywhere!!!

So anyhow, for those who did come to the party, it meant so much to me to have you here!!! to share our "1st offical" party with you all, it was a wonderful night, even though "drunken Lis" came out of her shell once again and was out cold by 2AM... or something like that, heck... I dont even know :( A huge thanks to those gals who got me in bed - if I think right... it was Jenn, Mel, and "Ma, Janice" ... and Jenn I hear you were feeling damn good... how the heck did you help me??? WOW!!! and for you Mel... I heard you were feeling damn good by the time you left. Ah shit... just sucks... I should of paced myself better and been more responsible! but I also knew this would be my last night of "being tanked Lis" because my drinkin' days are going to be over for the next several months... time to get into shape!!!!

I hope all of our family and friends had a great time at the party, it meant alot to us that you could all make the night special for Jer and I, it will never be forgotten!! OH... Thanks to all of you who made sure Jer had a great time too... he was hurtin' the next day for someone who did some "research on drinking 101"... and suffered major hangover!!!!!! WOW and I thought I was in bad shape... he had me beat once again :(

So have you all made your new years resolution? Whats "instore" for 2007 for you? Make some goals? Ok so here I sit and will spill some more out... (sorry this blog is getting WAY LONG!!!!!)

My 2007 will bring me lots of "JOY"!!!!!!! HAPPINESS, and maybe some snow?? I just want a little to make it winter, now... onto the jist of it all... 2007 will be bringing a THINNER LIS, I hope to loose between 50-60lbs. YES I am that FAT!!!!!! I want no pitty, I just want lots of support!!!! I want to be my ideal weight like by tomorrow... but realistically by July is what I set my goal for... No I am not doing the WW thing again either... doing it purely on my own!!!! Training and more training!!!!! and building up my own will power!! It will be mighty tough since we "eat out alot due to having no kitchen... but we did get a GEORGE FOREMAN for Christmas so that is GOOD!!!! This week I have been good so far... lost probably 5lbs in water already... so its a start.
My other HUGE goal I want to accomplish this year is the Marathon I wanted to do in 2006 by the ocean in San Fran. Yep I want to speed walk either the 1/2 or full marathon, date is in Sept... which is tricky since Jer's brother Brad's wedding falls in that month... but if it works out that is HUGE for me!!!! Its REALLY something I want to do for me!!! I need to build up self esteem and confidence and be motivated, I need to do this! Mel or Jenn, want to join me??? Ever since Brad and Julie ran their marathon in Lake Tahoe... its just something so powerful to watch and the feeling is still with me when I look at those two, its just such a feeling that I can't even explain it.

Ok so I blabbed enough... but I sincerely wish all of you the best in 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all deserve good in 2007, live each day to the fullest!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace within :)