Spring Showers....

Hi everyone. We are still staying very busy. Rather than one long rambling post, I did a few different ones today.

Every year, we have wanted to attend the Kingswood rummages to see what all the fuss is about. Every year, I find out about them at the last minute and don't get a chance to go. This year, I did my research and found out when they were in advance. I took Thursday, the 24th off so we could go. Lucky me, the day we picked to go, there was a monsoon. We went anyway.

The morning started off well, but after an hour or so, it unleashed. We were about 6 blocks from my jeep and decided to run for it. Unfortunately, I got stuck at a busy intersection and the motorists did not feel sorry for me. The just kept on speeding by, splashing up water all the way. By the time I finally made it back to the jeep, it was to late. I looked like I had just jumped into a swimming pool.

Rather than let it dampen our spirits, we headed to Walmart for some dry clothes, umbrella's & poncho's. After we found the much need gear, we headed back out. This time, only our calves and feet got wet. Al and I compared it to playing in the rain like we did when we were kids. Because of the rain, we did not hit nearly as many sales as we would have liked to. I didn't find a single thing for myself. But despite all of that, we had a blast. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Spring time in SD

For those who don't know what spring time in SD is like.... That date is no typo....
The weather man said chance of rain/snow mix. No accumulation expected. The ground is to warm. You should receive a Budweiser toast as a real man of genius. Because of you, Mr weather man, I wore my blue foam shoes. Croc's as you may know them. Croc's minus socks. Only you could predict no accumulation. Leaving many unsuspecting, trusting listeners to go into work expecting nothing. Only to come out to something. And not just a little something. A whole foot of something. White blowing flakes of cold. Cold that falls into the holes of blue foam shoes. Cold flakes that seem to become even colder after they collide with sock less feet that cause them to melt. Melting into puddles of freezing cold ice water. Freezing the little tootsies of your faithful listeners. Here's to you Mr weatherman. One of a select few men who tell a lie to thousands without flinching.

The kids

Not to much new as far as Tanner goes. He will be 13 in a few months. Those of you that have teenagers or remember that age, know what that means. Girls are now interesting, puberty s^cks, and parents are lame. The only other thing on his agenda at this time, is completing the hunter safety course.






Colter's vocabulary is growing right along with more teeth. He loves to play outside and is becoming a pro tantrum thrower. Melt downs occur every time we go in, get close to the door, or when mom pretends not to know why he is handing her his shoes. Mom is becoming a pro tantrum dis tractor. One episode was cured by making a chocolate pie. Colter got to lick off his first "spoon". Which of course, eventually lead to more melt downs. Good times!!

Kitchen progress

The kitchen has been coming along, slowly. It will be done someday. For now, I am happy that I have a few cabinets.... Some counter top.....
and something to cook with.
I am getting a bit anxious to get a sink back, but the above will pacify me for a bit. Al is going to have to call in a reinforcements to help him cut the rest of the counter top. He is not exactly fond of that task which causes him to speak in bizarre tongue. He is not excited that I threw a miter into the mix. Luckily, he has a relative who is an expert in diy home improvement. Hopefully, that relative will be willing to lend a hand, or some advice....for Al's sake. And for my SANITY!!!

Princess Chopper

While demanding my attention this morning, I noticed that princess Chopper is starting to get white around the eyes. My little princess is starting to age. It made me shudder to think about her getting old. I love my princess like mad. Yes. I am one of those crazy folk who think their pets are their kids. :O)



Until next time.....

Swinging

Big & small, having a ball

Kitchen

I have not had anytime to post lately. Well, I am sure that I could find a second, but I have been taking every opportunity mother nature has given to get outdoors. When I haven't been outside, working, chasing a toddler or cleaning, I have been trying to help Al get the kitchen done. We didn't have much of a kitchen before, but we have not had one at all for the past 3 weeks. Al has been working on it when ever he gets a chance, but he is not a huge fan of the mudding & sheet rock part. So, that has taken him a bit longer. This week we should be able to get most of the cabinets set, hung and my stove back in there. No more to go food! I can only eat pizza and chicken so many times. Fast food is not even an option. Yuck!!

This is the kind of mess I have been dealing with the past few weeks.....
You have no idea how happy seeing painted walls has made me.

Enjoy the weather this week! They are talking 70 for tuesday. It will be a great day to spend shopping with my Sis-n-law! I can't wait!!

Mom email

Hi everyone. I recieved an email that I would like to share with you. I am sure most of you have seen this one before. I know I have, but I think its a good one.....enjoy!

Being a MOM...

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of 'starting a family.' 'We're taking a survey,' she says half-joking. 'Do you think I should have a baby?'

'It will change your life,' I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

'I know,' she says, 'no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations.'

But that is not what I mean t at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.

I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, 'What if that had been MY child?' That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of 'Mom!' will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitat ion.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromanti c.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.

I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. 'You'll never regret it,' I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.