I haven't even unpacked the camper yet but I wanted to share my pictures of the kids.
The weather was beautiful during the day, freezing at night, and we managed to avoid the showers while we were there. Most of the weekend we just hung out while the kids fished off the dock. Monday morning Mike cooked up the fish for breakfast. It did taste good, but I have to say it was my first fish fry breakfast. Maybe it didn't seem too weird since we usually eat breakfast a little before noon when we camp.
The rest of the pictures can be viewed at my new photo site.
Mother’s Day Weekend….. It has become one of my favorite weekends of the year.When we moved to HamLake (over 9 years ago) we passed the Blaine neighborhood garage sale signs for several years before we actually stopped to see what all the fuss was.Since then it has become an annual tradition.
It is unbelievable!At least, if you have never been to a neighborhood garage sale before, it is unbelievable! I f you look past the house we are shopping at you can see the tents lined up down the block. There is literally hundreds of homes participating. We start at 8:00 am and shop until 4:00 or 5:00. The first few years we were awe struck.We came home with loads of “junk”.I’m not lying; when I say loads… we usually take our biggest vehicles then return for the “big purchase items” at the end of the day.
They pass out maps, so you can locate port-a-potties and food concessions.We usually mark the maps with the items we need to circle around and pick up after the sale.As I was looking at our map this year… a Foosball table, a slide for the lake, a trundle for Sarah, Coke bottles for Tom, a Wii console for Loni, I was thinking it would be fun to look at all the maps we’ve gone through in the past.
Over the years we have decided less is more, promising ourselves that we are only shopping for things we need. We still managed to come home with a full load. I haven’t checked with all the girls, but YES… Dalona had to leave stuff at Mike and Amy’s.Foolish girl.One year she bought (free) a tire she though Matt could use.Then she had to pay to dump it.She bought a desk (also free), Matt said was junk, and we had to burn in the fire pit. This year she really, reeeaallly contemplated purchasing a console for the Wii. It was one of those fine pieces of furniture that was once a “shop” project.I thought it was beautiful.I have a couple matching pieces in my house from Levi.Apparently the guy’s wife had kept it in the garage for years so they were finally selling the piece.I suppose hand crafted furniture isn’t as meaningful to a spouse as it is to a mom. Anyways, it didn’t make it home with Loni.I wonder why, hmmm???? I was so amused that it ended up in Mike’s garage I forgot to ask why.
Sunday was Mother’s Day and Luke and Meagan helped me paint the “daycare room” normal colors. I am patiently, no, not patiently, waiting to convert it into the family room.It has been two years now! We were missing Levi and Dad for our celebration, but not for long.We were listening to Cable Radio… The Party Mix Station and The Village People “In the Navy” came on.We decided it was Levi’s way of joining us in spirit. Then Shakira came on and we laughed…Bob was there in spirit also.In case you didn’t know, Bob drools over Shakira! It was another great Mother’s Day weekend, even if it was just with half of the family.Here’s the dynamic duo changing the colors. So long yellow, parting is such SWEET sorrow!
Me and My Mom Can you see the resemblance? Love You Mom! Happy Mother's Day
Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts... I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .
Family, food and fun!What more could more could anyone ask for?
It was fun to see everyone, it seems like we don't get together... all of us... enough.Around half of my relatives traveled from out of town, so the guys decided to come along and visit. Moms and dads equals kids. We had a full house. The weather wasn't nice enough to get outside but no one was complaining.
My cousin Tabitha even stopped over with her three children. The last time I remember seeing her was when we attended her baby shower and Dakota is 14 years old now!!! Time sure flies.Tabitha looks as young as ever, it’s hard to believe we are getting old. I’m sure she get’s the “She’s your daughter? You don’t look old enough.” Comment all the time.
... then I decided I need a cupcake tree. Hurry up garage sales :) ....
So adorable, cupcakes instead of a sheet cake. How fun is that? Well the kids loved them. I even caught Grandpa Tom sucking on a pacifier. When the party was done we were left with one cupcake. Wow! I am so impressed. I always have cake left over. I think the single serving, hold in your hand benefit paid off. Actually, I did thank my sister for bringing the kids, I'm sure they did their part to help eliminate left overs.
Speaking of kids. Here they are with Jessica. Doesn't she look like she's going to be a natural?
So is Jess having a boy or girl? I know you want to know. According to the doctor and the ultrasound she is having a boy. But weeeeee don't believe modern medicine. We have are own test. The old "hang a pencil from a string over your wrist" test. My sister in-law, Angie, swears by it. According to the pencil, Jess is having a boy and a girl is in the near future.
Congratulations Jess! I'm sure you'll love being a mom.
Yep, I wanted to avoid it until summer, because I heard it takes a LOT of time to start a facebook account. So why have I done it??? Hmmmm
My friends at the Ham Lake Fire Auxiliary posted pictures from our celebration dinner and I wanted to see them. .
I wanted to share a little bit about our guys. We celebrated forty years of volunteer firefighter service in Ham Lake. I can't remember, (funny huh?) but I think Bob's been a volunteer 8 or 9 years now. It seems like a long time but compared to our dear friend Marvin, it's peanuts.
Marvin B. has been on the station since day one and he was honored nationally. Michelle Bachmann honored Marvin before congress on April 21st.
“Madame Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Marvin Buchholz for demonstrating honor and loyalty to the Ham Lake Fire Department for 40 years. As a District Chief, Marvin has seen more calls to service than any other department firefighter and deserves our sincerest appreciation.”
Way to go Marv, our hometown hero!!!
And finally, here is a picture of two guys who couldn't be there because they are serving the country. It was a welcome surprise for all the guys to say hello via satellite.
I am a mom, wife, teacher, scrapbooker, reader... I enjoy life but never have enough time to do all the things I want to. This is the "Christmas letter" I never send in the mail.
