After a long absence...

I am back and ready to face what comes my way...

I want to catch you up on the past week,and here we go!
First, Cope and Tierney planned a great picnic in the living room for us last week
and we sat and had food galore!
Then Tierney showed us her new trick she can do...




Then we had a fire start on a nearby hill, which was VERY close,
even though it doesn't look like it here...










And somewhere in there Cope wanted a mohawk...
His mohawk has been a hit with most people, and he has learned how to style it himself! (Grandma says it must go before our Idaho trip)

Day 21 in Paradise.... (Day 20 was a bust)

Good Morning!

Yes, I could get used to this. Waking up at 9:30 each morning, relaxing and just updating my blog...but really, after a week I would be soooo bored! So wishful thinking is no longer a wish.

Yesterday was a bust as I couldn't get on my computer. Problem is fixed and now I know what to do for the next time! :)

Yesterday Tierney had to go to the dentist to get 2 cavities filled and a scraping of her teeth in the very back, as she hasn't been brushing well there. She was very nervous and I tried to be very strong for her. As the dentist laid her chair back, the tears welled up in her eyes and I started to do the same! I held her hand the whole time and tried to be very brave. (yeah right!)
I had to laugh as she was so curious about what instrument the doctor had, what it was used for and where it was going....(just like her mom)
The doctor and technician tried to be very sly using their fingers to block the site of the long needle, but Tierney kept moving their hands out of the way and finally said, "I want to see you do it." I had to chuckle because I am the exact same way! She did some crying, and refusing to open her mouth, but overall did very well. I was very proud of her, and sure hope this scared her into brushing much better.
The bad news? The second cavity was not in the same area, and she needed another shot on the bottom to get that one done. There was no way she was going to open up again, so we will have to go back. Ugh. All in all, a successful day. Especially since I had to take Cope too, and he behaved perfectly while I was in there with T, and then they were both out in the lobby while I had my teeth done! (I was exhausted by the time we left) We went to the park to let off some energy, hit the grocery store, came home and crashed.
*Reminder to sign my GUEST MAP! It is located at the very tippy-top of my blog. I moved it so it is easier to see!

Day 18- I didn't miss a day! (Yippee!)

Hi!

Welcome back! I thought I wouldn't be on until tomorrow, but here I am! Of course all weekend I have thinking about everything I was going to put on my blog when I got back from our Easter weekend- so grab a drink, sit down, relax and enjoy!
We woke up very early Sat. morning to drive down to Legoland. We were all very excited and couldn't wait to see "the cousins" (we were meeting Jimmy, Lauren, Abby and Jimmy T).
We spent the entire day going back and forth to everything imaginable, and the kids had a blast! We really squeezed everything we could into that day, and it went by surprisingly fast!
I know it turned out great when we got back into the car and both Cope and T said, "Mom- this was our best day EVER!" We spent the night in a shady hotel (another story) and woke up bright and early (again) to drive over to Jimmy and Lauren's house. Oh my gosh- I LOVE THEIR HOUSE! I took a bunch of pics that I will show you later. I want to redesign my house to have the same cabinets, fireplaces, kitchen, roof deck...YES! I said ROOF DECK! Wait till you see the pic! It is a FABULOUS HOUSE! We had an Easter egg hunt there, relaxed and then caravaned over to the Easter Brunch hotel.
I could kick myself for not taking my camera in....it is a hoot how big we are getting when we all get together. People just stare at all of us and wonder if we are a 'clan', or 'compound' out for the day...its pretty funny!
We had a great brunch and then went back to Uncle Don's for more talking and visiting. The kids had another Easter egg hunt (thank you Lindy and Brian!) and then played well while the "adults" talked and relaxed! Left P.V. around 5:00pm and got back here around 8:30. Kids fell asleep right after we ate dinner, and went right to bed. It will feel good to not have to wake up early tomorrow! :)
Hang onto your hats because I have a true "miracle' story to tell you. Are you ready? No, seriously!
When the twins were 2 or 3, we took them to Legoland for the first time. Jeff and I were arguing over something (ha) and Jeff threw our backpack into the locker, not realizing my camera was in there. Yes, it broke and I was even more upset at him. I was now very angry at having to purchase an outrageously expensive disposable camera at Legoland...but did anyway.
We stopped to let the kids play at this little outside play area where they could build things with Lego's, and slide down a slide. After awhile we went to move on when I realized I had left the disposable camera back at the slide. I went back to get it and it was gone. I asked everyone around and even went to Lost and Found. No luck. When I got home I even called Legoland and re-explained the situation but no one had turned in a disposable camera. Dang! Our first experience and no pictures! I was very upset.
Sooooooooo..... today, Aunt Katie comes up to me and hands me this package. She said she went to get some pictures developed, and didn't know how mine got in with hers. 1 guess as to what they were pictures of.... YES!!!! (Oh my gosh- you guessed it!) LEGOLAND PICTURES!!!!!
Now how in the world did she get those pictures? I have no idea, EXCEPT that it was DIVINE INTERVENTION!
Now here is where it gets REALLY weird....on that roll of Legoland pictures, was a picture of Uncle Ted, and Lucas! Lucas is only a couple months old, and we went to Legoland over 3 years ago! (can you hear the Twilight Zone music playing?) I KNOW! I KNOW!!!! I'm telling ya- it was HIM! :)
Okay- onto the pics... (click on pic to see full view)
Kylee, Abby, Tierney, Jimmy T, Cope
Waiting patiently in line for a ride
(Kylee is another story)




Jimmy and Jimmy T in red boat, Lauren and Abby in blue boat






Kylee and Abby going on rollercoaster. (Notice Cope in back)


Tierney, Jimmy T and Cope checking out a water ride and how wet it gets you!

Jimmy pouting because I didn't have to go on the "wet ride" like he did! (giggle)








Both had really great rooms to show us!





And the Piece d' Resistance.......
THE ROOF TOP DECK WITH A GORGEOUS BEACH VIEW!!!

I will put all the rest of the photos into Costco, so if you would like to see the whole slide show, leave me "a comment" after this where the pencil is and let me know!
I hope you had a great Easter weekend and remember to love, love, love....

Hugs!

Day 16 and seems like a year already...

I cant believe it was a short 16 days ago that I learned about and started my own blog! Seems like a year ago... Geez! Of course I am still learning and cultivating my own voice and personality in this world, but that also comes with time.
For at least this very minute, I have found the perfect balance in our lives. This day started off with my eyes closed but ears open as the kids were talking (not even whispering) at the doorway to my room. I didn't hear what Cope said, but T said she was going to tell on him and as I could hear her walking into my room, I could hear him say, "T, I'm sorry. I'm not gonna be your friend!" My eyes were still closed when she said, "Mom, (and there was a long hesitation)...Mom, can I watch TV?"
Ah...two things happened here.
Either she knew she had really nothing to tell on Cope with, or she knew I would get upset with her for tattling. I smiled inwardly and said "Yes". Oh, a few more moments of quiet until the next argument.
Then I remembered the 'bug guy' was supposed to be here at 10:00, and I wanted to shower beforehand. As I lay there enjoying the peace and quiet, the phone rang... and as I hung up, I contemplated whether or not I should even get back in bed. I laid back down, closed my eyes and my brain started thinking of things. Darn brain! So I got up and started off the day. BUT WITH ONE DIFFERENCE...no rushing and yelling down the hall to make the bed, get dressed, pick up room, etc. AHHHHHH...how nice it was!
It was so great that I had time to fix myself a huge glass of ice water, sit in the toy room and delegate who puts what where, take a shower, and pick up the kitchen. Cope offered to help me make breakfast, which I jumped at. He made "C" and "T" pancakes from start to finish! I made mine and we all enjoyed the most wonderful breakfast ever! Fresh strawberries, real maple syrup, orange juice...yes, a breakfast of champions!
Bug guy has come and gone, and we need to get to Walmart for egg coloring stuff since we are celebrating Easter tonight. Weird, I know, but fits us.
Tomorrow morning we will get up early and go to LegoLand! Spend the night in a hotel, get up early Easter morning and go see Jimmy's place (which we haven't seen yet) and then head off to the Wynne Easter Brunch. I think we might go back to Uncle Don's afterwards, but we'll see.
Ahhhh...spring break is wonderful! I really wasn't sure if I would make it to this point.
Well, got to get these 'lazies' to put their shoes on so we can go to Walmart! More later!

Well, I'm winding down my day and it was wonderful for my first day of vacation! We celebrated Easter tonight and they had 2 baskets each to open up- one from us and one from Fred and Trudy, our awesome neighbors next door. They had a great time decorating their eggs too- each one got to pick out their decorating kit and we had great colors with glittering them too! :)
We've packed and now just relaxing! I'm going to add pictures of our evening.

Happy Easter!
(will be on again Monday!)

Day 13 and not much time to write!

Well, as you can tell by me not getting back to my blog entry last night, that I was too tired. At 8:15, when I sat down to rest and get on the computer, I just couldn't keep my eyes open again to update the entry....
Now, I have very little time to even write this period....and yes, Studio Works is down again. Hopefully they will return to working today, but we'll see.
So far I got everything done yesterday and then some. No wonder I am so pooped all the time.
I found out a teacher passed away at the kids' school (God Bless) and I don't think they knew her, but grief counselors are there today to help the situation.
Today is also Spring Picture day, and yes Mom, I dressed them nicely! teehee.
Jeff has not been working nights like his boss asked him too, which is a mixed blessing. We were mentally and physically prepared for it, and it has messed the week up, but on the positive side, he is working full days and not having to go back to work at night. (Boss hired another crew to work it) Oh well.
Kids didn't have a good day yesterday at school, and will have some consequences. Not sure what they will be yet, but something. They seem to have the 'hate' part of their relationship in full force and I am soooo not in the mood for that. It starts once I pick them up from school.
Yikes, I have 1 minute before the bell rings. Gotta go for now.
Okay, back for just a few minutes...
Got off work early to go to chiropractor- thank goodness because I was in pain! All better and picked up kids. I could tell something was wrong with T as she walked up to me and put her head on my side. She ended up falling asleep in the car on the way home, as did Cope.
When we got home, I had them kick their shoes off and relax. T put herself to bed. Cope played for awhile. T slept until 8:45, where she got up, tried to eat dinner and complained of her ear hurting. UGH. She felt like she had a fever, so I held her for awhile, gave her Tylenol, and put her back in bed. Poor thing! She has been the sickest one of all lately.
Meanwhile, I was trying to help Cope with his homework, and couldn't keep my eyes open again. I ended up sleeping until T woke me up at 9:00...its like we are so dead, we cant function once our day is done. The scary part is I'm not sure how to fix the situation. Any suggestions would be most welcome!
I'm hoping we can all get through tomorrow- then we are home free with spring break!
We are supposed to go to Legoland on Saturday, and then the Wynne brunch for Easter. Something fun and much needed.
Lauren is all on our prayers and we wish her a speedy recovery! Goodnight till tomorrow!

Yet another entry for Day 9

HI!

WOW! Wind has been blowing again really bad, clouds are over the mountains and covering the valley, and it is COLD. Anywho.... tonight Cope and Tierney's FAVORITE show came on...iCARLY!
We all sit and watch it and they laugh and laugh and then they "re-live" moments be retelling us what we just watched... it is so cute!
So, after it was over Cope came up to me (as I was updated my blog yet again) and said, "Hey mom, go on iCarly". I didn't think it existed because it is a TV show, but tried anyway. Sure enough, they have a really cute site! They have many places to contact them, via email, texting, making a video...and the kids jumped at that! I took my camera and took a quick video and we downloaded it onto the site! Then they wanted to write iCarly a letter. So they sat down and wrote out what they wanted on a piece of paper (20 minutes to spell everything) and then typed it themselves on the site and pushed the SEND button! They were soooooo excited and kept asking me to tell her "HI" from them.
If you want to check out the iCarly website, click here! It really is cute and I enjoy watching the show with my kids! It is a great way to share something with your kids and have "talk time" about funny things that happened.