Bless this mess....

Has it really been that long since I posted???

2010-09-24T03:38:00.001-05:00

So much has happened....so much.

I will try to catch up this weekend.

The best part?

I have a precious new niece...born on Memorial Day. I got to be there for the entire thing and it was the most special thing ever!!!

I will try to post pictures very soon...

We are all well. So much going on. Good. Bad. Everything in between.

65 photos....

2010-03-16T16:08:00.006-06:00

When I got home from work this morning, I found my EMPTY camera case on the dining room table. When I asked Eric where it was, he told me that the camera was by the kitchen sink.

WHAT?????

I found the camera by the sink....and proceeded to go through the photos on it. Allison has discovered how to take a photo and she thinks that the camera is just as much her's to use as it is mine. Um....no way, kiddo. But, apparently, daddy was preoccupied with another task and Allison went to town, snapping up photos of our home.

But not pretty photos, but pics that a 4yo would love to see...her toy area, the kitchen trash can, the pile of laundry that needs to be put away in mom and dad's room....

and her left hand.

Yes, her left hand. When asked why there we so many pics of her hand, Allison let me know that she took pictures of her hand so I would know what her hand looked like while she was at school. Yes, sweetie. Momma often forgets what your sweet, chubby hand looks like for the 2.5hrs that you are gone in the morning....3 days a week. NOT!!!!!

Allison is a right-handed photographer. And she loves self portraits.

Here are a few, for posterity's sake.

And then Daddy said..."here, let's get a picture of YOU. Apparently, he hadn't checked the photos already taken.

Random kiddo photos....

2010-03-16T15:59:00.001-06:00

Just because I haven't posted some pics of the monkeys....

Servant

2010-03-04T10:50:00.004-06:00

Last night, as I was getting all of the girls in bed, I was feeling sorry for myself. I was doing all of the work. Eric stepped in for prayers (he had just gotten home from work a few minutes before). But I was the one that did the baths, checked homework, did the snuggles, got the umpteen cups of water....

And I felt a little put-upon. But then I had to remember that this is what I had always wanted. This was my life as a momma. My husband is a wonderful father. He is a good hubby to me. But his focus is on the outside of the house (work, etc.). But, even while I am at work, my heart and mind are here...in this house....on this family.

I realized that that is the way it is for me. That is the way that I wanted it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe a little bit more "Ami" time. Just a little.

Then, this morning, an online "friend" Stephanie Howell posted this and it spoke to me. So I am sharing it.

An essay by Roy Lessin

A woman once fretted over the usefulnesss of her life. She was fearful she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

"Is it worth it?" she often wondered.

"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of those moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart.

You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice.

Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember you are My servant. Do all to please Me.

2 days post-op.....Allison

2010-01-24T21:20:00.005-06:00

Today has been a pretty good day. We started out rough. Allison had a rough night - with a fever of 103.6 (2nd night in a row). She is taking fluids ok....just not moving too much. I wouldn't be either.

She took a 4hr nap on the couch this morning and woke up like a new kid.

She has played on and off throughout the day. She even sat at the table for dinner. She didn't eat much. Just half of a crescent roll with her beloved butter on it.

I have found that she loves Sprite and will drink it with no problems. That is what I have been giving her most of the day. She isn't quite sure how to take it. She asks and I jump. I am just happy to have her drinking.

Right after coming out of surgery. Poor girl. She had an ice pack to her neck and was "snuggling" her Get Better Buddy that her sisters got for her. GBB and her blankie both accompanied her to the OR.

Her first popsicle, in the recovery room. She ended up having 3 popsicles and 2 ice cream cups in the 3hrs that we were there after surgery. Very reassuring.

2 days later...looking better...acting better...

Keep the prayers for a speedy recovery for our girl!!!!

What a week....

2010-01-23T17:36:00.002-06:00

Poor Allison had her tonsils and adenoids out on Friday...She also got new ear tubes. She is doing well, but not like I expected. She refuses to sleep, even though she is fighting through the narcotic pain meds that she is getting every 4-5hrs.

But we know that this is temporary. She will be breathing so much better. She already is. And when the swelling, in her airway, goes down, she will be just like a new girl. Right now? She looks worse for the wear.

Soooo....we are spending our time encouraging PO fluids and keeping her still and comfy. And she is taking it all in.

Poor girl...

And...oh,yeah....I turned 40 yrs old on Thursday...meh.

Scrapbook Nook blog hop....please check it out!!!

2010-01-08T21:52:00.004-06:00

Updated....1/19/10...I won!!!! I won!!!! All that hard work paid off and I won some free scrapbooking stuff....awesome scrapbooking stuff!!! YAY!!!!

If you are a scrapbooker and are challenged to find the newest stuff....every month....please check out the Scrapbook Nook. http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-myscrapbookno/StoreFront.bok

Their kits are always lovely.

And you can check out this blog...http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2010/01/08/my-scrapbook-nook-blog-hop/ to try to win one of these fabulous...or as my 12yo daughter says...prettiful kits.

If you sign up now...you get a $20.10 store credit....and they have the cutest stuff!

One Little Word.....2010 is going to be BETTER....

2009-12-31T12:36:00.003-06:00

Ali Edwards http://aliedwards.typepad.com/, a celebrity artist in the scrapbooking world, has chosen a word for each new year...and she challenges her blog readers to do so, as well.

I always have good intentions to choose a word (I often choose one...change my mind....etc.) and stick to it. But I have not followed through well.

This new year, I have chosen the word BETTER. I know that 2010 will be better for me and my family. 2009 has been such a challenge for us and so many families in these United States. But I know that things will change. We have to make it so.

Better may not be easy to come by. It may take some work and sacrifice, in the beginning. But I know that it will be worth it. I haven't set about on the details...and will keep those to myself...but I know that the better part will be obvious for those around us to see. I want to show myself "better" to those that see me. Physically, yeah...of course. But spiritually, emotionally...anyway that I can be better...that will be my goal.

And in my endeavor to be better....my family will only benefit. We will all be better people for it.
I know it.

Happy New Year friends and family. I love you all and cherish our relationships so much. I know that hardly no one will read my blog...but it is out there now. I have said it and I mean it.

God Bless!!!!!

Rest in peace, Grandma Henderson.

2009-12-14T22:14:00.000-06:00

Grandma Henderson passed away Monday evening, December 14th, 2009.

She was my dad's mom. She had a husband and 3 sons...but was survived by only 2 of the son's - Larry and Gary.

She led an interesting life. Was a tough cookie. Loved her God and wasn't afraid to talk about it.

She is in the company of her husband, Curt, and her youngest son, Danny...who passed away about a year ago.

She looked just like her mom, Little Grandma Morgan. They had the same laugh.

Rest in peace, Grandma. We love you and will miss you.

A chance to win some AWESOME goodies.....

2009-11-17T07:42:00.003-06:00

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme
Today's Mama (http://www.todaysmama.com/exclusives.php) and Provo Craft (http://bit.ly/4ikY3c) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I am sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? Gift cards to Home Depot and Lowe's so we can get some stuff done to beautify this house (5 gift cards would be nice :)
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? Anything by the monkey's that live here.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? Not necessarily a gift, but I would love to actually get handmade cards done and mailed out!
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? The Arena sweatsuit that I was totally convinced that I would not get (you had to actually live in the 80's in my hometown to understand this one!) I was 14yo.
5. What items are on your kids' wish lists this year? Ipod Touch (12yo), Skateboard (8yo) and Puppy in my pocket (4yo).
6. What is your favorite holiday food? Hands down....Pumpkin pie....MY pumpkin pie.
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? Haven't decided yet.
8. What is your favorite holiday movie? Die Hard, seriously. Or Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
9. Favorite holiday song? Anything from Amy Grant's holiday albums.
10. Favorite holiday pasttime? Spending time with family!

Now you give it a try....go here.... ww.todaysmama.com/exclusives.php ...and you might win.

Fevers suck.

2009-11-10T22:24:00.002-06:00

Poor Allison had a febrile seizure this evening.

Scary.

I had run to school to go to parent-teacher conferences and left Allison sleeping on the couch. She had a low-grade temp all day, but was OK. Katie was on the computer and Em was watching television.

I came home to a frantic 8yo and 12yo. Apparently, 911 had just been called by my girls. Emily dialed and Katie talked. Allison had some activity that was later determined to be the seizure, vomited and then became unresponsive. Her breathing was shallow. I got there moments before EMS arrived.

When they got there, Allison's oxygen saturation was 92% (low-ish for a healthy 4yo girl) and her heart rate was 148. She was still shallow breathing and was not following any commands.

Scary.

We decided that the ambulance did not need to take her to the hospital, but that I would take her in myself. Eric would meet us at the ER (he was coming home from Greenville).

Allison was awake but still out of it and not following commands. She had not spoken any words still....hard to believe... :)

We were seen right away in the ER. Her temp was 102 degrees. The doctor later told us that it is not necessarily h0w high the temp is, but how fast it spikes. I think that is what happened. I asked if the doctor thought that it was influenza and she stated that it could be. But she would not treat Allison any differently. She stated that the incidents of influenza is decreasing. Yay!!!!

We were sent home about an hour later with a prescription for Amoxicillin (for a newly discovered ear infection in the ear WITHOUT the tube), instructions for Motrin and Tylenol and close observation. Check. Check. Check.

As I type, she is sleeping soundly. Sweating off the fever that is breaking.

As I type, Emily has fallen asleep, hopefully she will be sweating off the fever that she developed this evening.

When it rains, it pours.

God bless my little ones. Keep the healthy ones healthy and heal the sick ones. Thank you, Lord, for my usually healthy girls. Eric and I are so blessed.

I remember....

2009-09-11T22:41:00.002-05:00

I remember how I felt that day. As I watched the news breaks...and then the constant news coverage on TV.

I remember how I sat, crying, feeling totally helpless, as I held my then 4mo old, Emily.

I remember how I felt as I had to tell my 4yo that, yes, people got hurt. And that yes, you are safe. And hoping and praying that it was true that she was safe.

I remember feeling like I needed to go to the grocery store (to stock up on staple goods) and fill up the gas tank, just in case....

I remember how I felt so sad when they showed the wall of pictures that families had posted..."Have you seen this woman? Have you seen this man?" Pictures of Americans that would never come home.

I remember all of this. And not only on September 11th, but especially on September 11th.

As I watched the Boy Scout color guard take down the flag from the flag pole at my children's school this evening...and as I watched the Marine Corp color guard present the flag this evening....and as I listened to my oldest daughter play the Star Spangled Banner in front of the large crowd...I felt proud to be an American.

I felt proud to help my youngest daughter place her hand on her heart as the flag was presented. I felt proud that I could remind my middle daughter that we should ALWAYS be respectful when our flag goes by (she is a good girl and tries very hard to remember all of this).

I feel proud that I could stand with my husband by my side. My children at my side. And sing the national anthem.

God Bless America.

We all survived Allison's first day....

2009-08-24T17:44:00.002-05:00

School days....school days....I-don't-know-the-rest-of-the-tune days......

We all survived. I mainly roamed around the house this morning. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I felt as if I needed to get SO much done....and I didn't get anything done. I showered. I put on make-up and sort of fixed my hair. I folded a load of laundry and put it away. Started a load of laundry that still sits in the dryer. And that all took me 3hrs.

Allison has been away from me for hours on end. Spending time at a Grandparent's house, or shopping with Aunt Mandy. But this was different. I knew that she was with a new grown-up in her life. Someone who will have alot of influence on her little mind. That is when I started to miss her in a different way. A good way. The way that makes a parent proud that "we got her this far and she is still doing great! We haven't messed up too bad."

She has 8 students in her class. We were told of a Mindy (who didn't share) and Emerson (who wouldn't talk). When I walked into her room to get her, Allison was sitting, quietly, at the little table. She looked tired. She looked like Ms. Sherry had done her pre-school teacher job and kept the little ones busy.

We shall see how bedtime goes tonight. I am sure that it will be a bit earlier than last night.

The other 2 monkeys? They are settling into their routines with their new teachers. Emily is learning how to pace herself with her homework. And Katie is learning what middle school is like....with tons of homework and a little bit of socializing.

Here's to a great week for all of us.

God Bless my family (they are so special to me) and God Bless this mess. Please.

Preschool Days....

2009-08-23T21:30:00.002-05:00

Littlest monkey is starting school tomorrow.

She is so excited (I wouldn't have it any other way). She will be in the same building as both of her sisters. How cool is that? I really don't sense any anxiety from her. She is at or in the school almost every weekday. It is just someplace that her sisters go...and now her.

Her teacher is Mrs. Sherry. We were thrilled to see her at the Open House. The former teacher left for a position at the University. Why were we so happy to see Mrs. Sherry??? She was Katie's pre-school teacher 8 years ago. We loved her. She is so good with the little ones.

What will I do with all of my free time??? Well....this is the first time that I have sent a little one to school when I wasn't expecting a new one...or had a new one on my hip. I will have 3 glorious hours home, 3 mornings a week....not alone. Eric will be around. But perhaps he can get some work done, too.

I will miss the little bug. But she is so attached to me. She needs to branch out...just a little. She still needs her momma. But maybe just a smidge less.

God Bless the little ones...and the grown-ups who teach them. We are entrusting them with our most precious creatures.

Have a great week!

School days and on-call shifts....

2009-08-19T18:44:00.003-05:00

Well....school has started. For the 2 big monkeys...littlest monkey starts next week. She is SOOO ready. I am so ready.....

The girls love school and have always excelled in their school work. Thank goodness.

Katie's class is about a 2:1 ratio boys:girls. That is fine with Katie. We are approaching that age. Boys are becoming cute and are something to doodle about and giggle over. Ahhhh....the good 'ol days. I remember them fondly. But Kate's dad is not fond of the crush stage. I try to reassure hime that it is perfectly/wonderfully normal. We'll see if I am still saying that in 3 or 4 years. ha!

Emily is profoundly social and loves to have people around her. School is the place for her. She is bright and cheerful. She loves to talk...and that may be her only downfall. If that is one. She is a favorite of her teachers, for sure.

Allison is a blank slate. We shall see how school fits her. We shall see.

As for the on-call shifts....they suck. I got called in around 0130 last night. Don't get me wrong...I need the moolah, it was only 6 or so hours and I DID SIGN UP FOR IT!!! But, a delivery at 0707 is not the way to end a shift. I didn't clock out til 0815.

The delivery was great. The pt had had 4 or 5 kids prior to this delivery. She was requesting an epidural...but when a pt with that many deliveries under her belt tells you that she feels "pressure" you-know-where....you usually don't have time to get that epidural in. And we were right. But she did great. Cute baby boy. They are all cute...in one way or another.

I am not sure what the deal is with the insane amount of deliveries...but these babies all got their starts in October/November of 2008. Can anyone tell me what was going on then????

We have Obama Babies!!! Not Obama's babies...nooooo. But I think that everyone was feeling the "love"...professing the "hope and change"....and celebrating. Yeah....I think that that is it. We have to explain it some way.

We will have to see what this economic downturn will do to the number of pregnancies....people can't afford entertainment....people are staying in more.....we will probably keep seeing this surge of new people entering the world.

I am on call for a couple of more shifts this week. Hopefully I will get called in and not have to do crazy work....you think??? I love the time and a half pay...but hate the work level bumped up 50%, too. Go figure.

Anyone want to borrow some children???

2009-08-11T16:12:00.004-05:00

Yikes! This summer cannot pass fast enough. The girls have officially gone stir crazy. I will be admitting them to the institution (their school) in 1 week!!!!!

That being said....I will miss them. It is something to have the insanity that is our home...but in overdrive during the summer. Allison will be a preschooler...I can't believe it.

Our "baby girl princess (self-proclaimed)" is now 4yo. Unreal. I had a patient, on Sunday night, who was 7 cm dilated and in full blown labor. It was unreal on the division and the CRNA (anesthesia nurse) couldn't get right to her bedside to place her epidural. The patient was feeling the unbelievable urge to push and kept grunting and bearing down with contractions...even though we were encouraging her to "breathe" and "not push" (she was not fully dilated). I apologized (lightheartedly) to her afterwards (beautiful baby girl) about that. The whole time I was having flashbacks to my own labor with Allison. I had tried to deliver her without an epidural (which I had with the first 2). I was completely dilated for about 2 hours and had that same terrible urge to push and couldn't help but to bear down. It is uncontrollable. She laughed and said that she understood that we had to do what we had to do.

School shopping is almost complete. We need to purchase the ever-important backpacks, lunchbox (Emily), pencil case (Emily), and accordian file (Katie). The right or wrong one of any of these can make or break a school year. Especially for a 7th grader or 3rd grader. ha!!!

Shoe shopping was a delight....not. But we ended it with 3 happy girls...Katie got the perfect pair of Nike's. Emily got the "cutest" pair of Sketchers. And Allison is very happy that her shoes have "diamonds" on them. You didn't know that Payless had diamond encrusted shoes, did you????

Last weekend, we went to Pere Marquet park past Grafton, Illinois for the annual TKE campout (my hubby is a TKE from his long ago SUIE days). They get together every year and I think that it is wonderful. This year was a good crowd...but the crowd now includes kids, spouses of said kids, and GRAND kids. Crazy!!!!

This is a great photo of the group!!! I love this photo!!!!

Have a great day...I am getting ready to go put 2 children into timeout....guess which 2.
Hint: Allison is not one of them.

Do you think that, if I put the children at the front doors of the school now...I will get in trouble??? ha!

PS...will I ever get to scrapbook again???

Blogging...

2009-07-30T11:28:00.001-05:00

I want to do it more.
I plan to do it more.

Does anyone have any spare time that they could loan me?

Sad.

2009-06-25T17:55:00.003-05:00

Michael Jackson has passed away.

50 years old.

He was born in the same month as Eric...and Madonna.

I am surprisingly saddened.

I know that the life and times of MJ had taken a serious detour to the weird and freaky...but it is the Thriller era that I remember. I was a Jr High Student...loving to listen to and wearing out my Thiller "tape".

Very sad. For his 3 young children, as well.

And Farrah Fawcett.
Losing her battle with cancer. Eric tied it back to her being like his mother...who passed away in April. He tends to tie most things back to his mom...the pain and grief is still so raw and painful.

Two American icons...gone on the same day. So sad.

Is it August yet???

2009-06-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

Just saying....

ugh.

Just....

2009-05-22T02:25:00.009-05:00

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play...

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms , and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

from an e-mail that I recently received from my sister....thanks....

Happy birthday to my almost teenager!!!!

2009-04-30T18:11:00.003-05:00

Unbelievable.

Seriously.

My oldest daughter is 12 yrs old. As of 5:31pm this evening. I cannot believe it.

Eric and I keep shaking our heads at the thought of having an "almost" teenager - a fact that she keeps reminding me of.

My daughter is awesome. She is so sweet, thoughtful, caring, smart and pretty. Seriously. She has the best smile and the most beautiful dark hazel eyes.

As a birthday gift, she is getting contacts. Something that she has been requesting for awhile. I think that she is ready. We shall see.

We went to the eye doctor at Clarkson Eye Care here in Edwardsville. And as he continued to tell me the condition of her eyeballs, I could tell that the bill would be significant. She has astigmatism to beat the band. I knew that her vision was complicated when I had to start, when she was a 3yo preschooler wearing those adorable wire rimmed glasses, putting eye drops in her eye to weaken the strong one so the one with the worst vision wouldn't get too dependent. With me so far????

She was beaming the entire time, knowing that she was taking that leap into NOT wearing glasses, as she has been for 3/4 of her life.

Needless to say, the doctor reassured her (and me) that her contacts would need to be the hard kind, with a super special, one of a kind prescription. They are being made as I type. I picture a small, old, white-haired man (akin to Gepetto, Pinocchios' dad) whittling away at a small piece of plastic/glass to try to make that perfect lens for my girl. I know that is not the case, right?

Anything for our girls, you know?

Happy Birthday to my oldest, sweetheart monkey. You made me a momma.

I love you, forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I am living, my baby you'll be.

Heard in my house....just a few days ago....

2009-04-23T06:58:00.003-05:00

"Momma? I have poop on my foot..."

Silence from both Eric and I....I think we both thought that we were dreaming. It was VERY early...too early for poop to be ANYWHERE!!!!

"Momma....I have poop....on my foooooOOOOOOT!!!"

I implore the husband to get up and check. He does. And quickly calls for back-up.

Our 3yo monkey is recovering from a NASTY stomach bug and things...well....things happened.

We got it taken care of. We got the monkey taken care of. And, after 2 trips to the ER in 1 week, with one kid....I am glad that she is on the mend.

By the way....she is in her big-girl bed now. She thinks that it is the most awesome thing ever. She is so proud. In and out. In and out. In and out of that bed. Just because she can. Yesterday evening, I caught her brushing the "hair" of all of her stuffed animals. She wants to be like Aunt Mandy.

Easter....

2009-04-12T22:34:00.002-05:00

Well....the plastic grass is put away...
the baskets are put up...
half of the hard-boiled eggs have already found their way into an egg salad sandwich...

Easter is over.

This day has capped what has been an emotional week.
Easter week shall forever have a new meaning for our family.

My mother-in-law met Jesus on Palm Sunday. And on this Easter, her absence is palpable. It doesn't, and probably will never, feel the same.

But, on this Easter, she would want us to remember the sacrifice that was made, that made her admission into heaven possible. Jesus, dying on the cross, making us all worthy of heaven and God's grace.

May we never forget the reason for the season. May we enjoy the chocolate, peeps, jelly beans and family dinners...but always have, in the back of our minds, the real reason that we should be celebrating...

Our salvation.

God Bless you...if you are a reader of my blog. If you are not...God Bless you, too.

I am so thankful for my family...friends....and for my Lord and Salvation. I hope that you are, too.

Today...

2009-04-08T00:00:00.004-05:00

Today, we will lay my mother-in-law to rest.

Today, my sweet husband will say good-bye to his mom (until we see her in heaven).

Today, my daughters will tell their Grandma Diekemper good-bye.

Today, my mother-in-law will get her wings (according to Allison).

We have been stuggling with how to tell Allison about Grandma. At 3.5yrs, we know that Allison's comprehension of death is darned near nil. Like it should be.

So today, as we stood by the casket that was holding my mother-in-law's body, I told Allison that Grandma's body didn't work anymore. She won't be opening her eyes or talking to us.
I told Allison that tomorrow (today) Jesus will be coming to get Grandma to take her to heaven.

Allison asked if Grandma will be getting all better in heaven. I told her yes.

Allison asked if Grandma would be coming back. I told her no.

Allison then asked if Grandma will get "some wings". I told her yes. Ally looked at me and asked "Grandma will be the angel?". I told her yes.

Allison smiled a tiny smile, patted the casket, near grandma, and walked away. That was all she needed.

We will tell stories of Grandma til the cows come home. I want memories to be the best thing that they have from Grandma.

By the way...the line at the funeral home? Neverending, for 5.5hrs. Friends, family....you name it. They all came to pay their respects to this woman who touched so many lives. What a testimony.

LaVerne Diekemper

2009-04-05T15:38:00.003-05:00

My very sweet, kind, strong mother-in-law passed away this morning. With her husband by her side, she took her last breath and was welcomed into heaven.

We knew this was coming. Knew that it would be days, not weeks, until she went to heaven...

But still, it is so hard.

I am so sad that my heart is just breaking. Breaking for her husband, her children and in-law children, her grandkids, her sisters and brothers.

This kind woman will be missed by family, friends and parish family.

I had to tell my children that a wonderful thing happened this morning.

Grandma got to meet Jesus.

Happy Birthday Sweet Emily.....

2009-04-03T19:09:00.002-06:00

My sweet girl, Emily, turned 8 today.
At 7:43a.m.

It seems like yesterday that she was placed in my arms...after a delivery that was exciting to say the least.

Her delivery was awesome. A baby who decides to come on her own terms...when no one was ready to catch her...

And it has been that way ever since.

Our girl is a one-of-a-kind, sweet, smart, awesome, kind, independent, inventive, creative, caring kid. We got one of the best kids in the world....well...THREE of the best kids in the world.

Happy Birthday to you, Emily.

We love you with all of our hearts and are so glad that you are our daughter.

Hug your mother-in-law, if you can...

2009-03-28T22:18:00.002-06:00

My family has had a helluva weekend...
Our hearts are so sad.

My sister is doing well physically, but their hearts are breaking over and over.

My daughter's best friend is struggling with a death of a neighbor (an 8yo girl died on Friday...you have probably seen it on the news if you are in my area. My oldest daughter was on the property at the same time this accident happened. Not near it or involved...but shaken to say the least. Her best friend, G, is completely shaken to the core...dealing with something that a 12yo should never deal with. Our prayers are with the family of the girl who lost her life...and the family of my daughter's best friend. She has some healing to do as well...

And my mother-in-law...such a wonderful, kind, caring, welcoming, thoughtful woman...is getting closer to heaven. It is any day now...it is so hard to think of. My husband is beside himself...and I am struggling to comfort him. We really don't know what to do in a situation like this...thankfully, never having to deal with it before...
My MIL has so many family that will miss her terribly.

Please keep my family in your prayers...if you read my blog.
Please keep my husband in your prayers as he comes to grips with the loss of his "mom".
Please keep my children in your prayers as they deal with alot of things that children should never have to deal with...but unfortunately have to. Saying goodbye to your "gramma" is so difficult.
Please keep my brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, niece-in-law, nephew-in-law in your prayers...they are so sad, too.
Please keep my sister and brother-in-law in your prayers as they grieve their first child.
Please keep my mother-in-law in your prayers - for comfort and peace...

Finally, please pray for my father-in-law as he cares so tenderly for his wife of over 50yrs. As my SIL put is so specially...he is fulfilling his marriage vows as promised, caring for his wife in sickness and in health.

I know that this is alot of stuff to pray for, but, please, just mention them once....

God Bless.

And hug your mother-in-law, your kids, your hubby....heck...hug 'em all...

So sad today...

2009-03-27T15:44:00.002-06:00

My sweet sister and her husband found out that they lost their baby today. She was about 9 weeks and loving every nausea twinge and nap that she needed to take.

Today, they are grieving. Deeply. Sadness that I cannot comprehend, but want to take away from them.

If you read my blog...please say a prayer for Mandy and Steve.

Thinking....

2009-03-22T15:36:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted for awhile because I can't post any pictures to my posts. My camera and my computer are no longer communicating.

I have decided that I will continue to blog, for myself, as a kind of therapy.

There is so much going on in this head of mine. Sometimes I want to scream just to let a bit out.

Spring is here. And I have this overwhelming desire to simplify my life...and all that is caught up in that net.

I need to simplify our home, our schedule, my brain, my faith....

I need to settle down and focus on what is important. My faith, my family, my marriage and ME!!!

I don't know where to start. It overwhelms me at the task that I have set before myself. The complications that are around me have tied themselves in knots and tangles.

All that I know for sure is
- I love my husband.
- I love my children
- I love my family
- I love my Lord

These are the things that are important to me. These are the focus' of my life.
ttfn....

It didn't hurt much....

2009-01-21T16:17:00.002-06:00

Well...here I am. One year older.

As my birth "moment" occured...I was in the triage unit of the Labor and Delivery unit I work on. I looked at the clock at precisely 1:42 am. That was the time that I was born. Or so my mom says....ha. My rear was kicked last night. I ended up working the unit by myself, for 4-5hours. And it was a bit crazy. But I felt good. I was on my game and the IV's were sliding in like butter. (Only a nurse can appreciate that).

This birthday is just mildly freaking me out. My last 30-something birthday.

All is well. I am well. My family is well.

And I have a surprise cake waiting for me in the oven. I am not supposed to know about it...but my sweet 3yo blabbed the secret to me within seconds of me walking in the front door this morning. She even walked me to the oven and showed me the display.

I will be appropriately surprised when the "surprise" is revealed later this evening.

I am hoping to get some scrapbooking done in the next couple of days...my gift to myself.

***crossing fingers***

Pizza Hut will be delivering my birthday feast this evening. I don't think that a gal should have to cook her own b-day dinner...do you???

Oh yeah...the cake above? My dream b-day cake. Someday...

Have a wonderful day!!!

Birthday, shmirthday....

2009-01-20T01:51:00.002-06:00

Yeah...OK...I am going to have a birthday in less than 24 hours. I will be at work when the moment that I arrived...well...arrived.

I was thinking how cool it might be that I am helping someone deliver her baby at the time that my mom was delivering me. It might be cool.

I am not looking much forward to this b-day. It is a strange milestone. My last 30-something birthday. Time to reflect. What have I accomplished???

Well....At the top of my list?

My marriage to my sweet sweetie Eric. 15+ years now. Crazy. I love him more now than I ever thought that I could when we said "I do". We have had some ups, downs, sharp turns to the left or right. But...we have muddled through together. And that togetherness has given us our next accomplishments...if you want to call them that...

Kathryn, Emily and Allison. Our girls. The girls. The sisters. Big, little and middle. The monkeys. The chicks. Whatever we call them, they are the lights of our lives. Mine and Eric's.

I have also accomplished other things...but they pale in comparison to the above mentioned items. Graduating nursing school, being a nurse and doing/seeing all that I have done/seen...unbelievable to me.

My family and my salvation are at the top of my list. My friends follow a very close second. \

I guess my b-day isn't too bad...Eric will always be older than me....bwahahaha!!!

Seriously...I have been blessed. This I cannot deny. And I remind myself of the blessings everyday.

Take a few minutes to count your blessings....

ps....guess how old I am going to be....

Computers can get the CROUP!!!!

2008-11-21T17:17:00.003-06:00

Apparently...when Allison had the croup last week... she gave it to the computer.

Yeah...we had a virus. Bad. Dang.

Our computer is still in the shop. Hopefully, we will be getting it back this weekend...or early next week.

I miss our PC. Seriously.

But, I am thankful to Eric for letting us use his work laptop.

Thanks, honey!!!

Talk at you soon.

Not Me Monday!!!!!

2008-10-27T15:11:00.001-06:00

I absolutely love this idea.

And I have become addicted to this blog. The "real" mom is dealing with some heavy duty stuff...and some "just every day mom stuff". She will welcome her 4th baby Wednesday...and thousands of her readers are waiting to meet her "Stellan".

Check out her blog here... http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2008/10/not-me-monday_27.html

I really think that it helps us moms "confess" our transgressions...and still feel like we are not alone.

We all know that these children of ours will survive...and actually have good stories and sweet memories of their childhood's.

My girls are, for the most part, patient beings. My 3yo...well...she is 3yo. But she puts up with alot...especially a momma who works night shift and chooses to keep her kids home and not put them in day care.

Soooo...without further ado...

I did not give my youngest daughter a cheese sandwich and 2 sippy's of apple juice and sit her in the bed with me, to watch television, while I grabbed a pseudo-nap.

I did not auto-tune 6 Dora's, SpongeBob's, Diego's, Little Bill's in a row...so she would stay in bed with me for 3 hours.

I most certainly did not laugh so hard at an off-color joke at work that, with the result of delivering 3 big-headed babies, I pee'd my pants and had to borrow work scrubs.

I really, really did not tell my 7yo that I would tell her the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus's phone numbers when she grew up and became a mom.

Ahhhh. That feels better.

Happy Anniversay, babe!!!

2008-10-16T15:22:00.002-05:00

Happy Anniversary, to us!

15 years. Wow!!!

It used to seem like so far away. But, now, the years seem to have raced by.

15 years ago, our family started.

The Diekemper home, established in 1993.

Since then, we have added 3 more members to our family...

our 3 beautiful daughters - Katie, Emily and Allison.

I am so thankful to have a good, Christian, caring, loving husband. A man who loves his girls (all 4 of us) with all of his heart.

I love you, sweetheart. Thank you.

Where did I go????

2008-10-02T13:29:00.004-05:00

Man...September was just a bit hectic. But, it ended nicely with a vacation to Silver Dollar City and Branson, with my parents and sister and her husband.

I would love for you to see the "ole-time-y" photos of my kids, but I cannot post the pictures here.

So...here is the link....

http://www.nostalgiasite.com/

click on: See my photos

To the left you will see the log-in.

The User name is: SDC
The password is: 1211401

The are so funny. Allison did not like the shoulder part of her dress and the fact that the hat would not sit firmly on her head. She kept shrugging up her shoulders and fussing about it all.

Katie did not like the way her dress fit on top. I thought that she looked so mature in it. But she fussed a bit about the and the fact that the back was just open and laced up. Modesty at its finest. (Thank goodness).

Emily? She loved every bit of it! The dress. The taking of her picture....
Need I say more???

I am hoping to get back on the posting "band wagon" soon. Trying to get back into our family "groove".

But, October is shaping up to be another one of those months.
-2 parades that Katie is in.
-an out of town wedding (Congratulations, Sarah and Ryan!!!)
-Halloween party
-deciding on and finding 3 Halloween costumes
-working my 2 jobs

So far....so good.

Take care and be well!!!!

Just one more to tell you about!!!

2008-08-27T23:13:00.002-05:00

I would love to own this trimmer....and this site is giving one away! How 'bout that????

http://www.vanillajoy.com/blog-giveaway-purple-cows-sizzix-creative-options.html#comment-4536

Just click on the linky-doo above, go there, and enter. If you win...can I have it????

Another goodie(s) to check out!!!!

2008-08-27T22:57:00.002-05:00

Do you like free stuff? This is a ton of goodies. I encourage you to go here...now!!!

http://www.vanillajoy.com/blog-giveaway-scrapbooking-embellishments-tools-and-supplies-by-ek-success.html#comment-4525

Just click on the link above...and you might be able to win some of this great stuff!!!

Check out this nice giveaway!!!!

2008-08-27T22:36:00.003-05:00

I was directed to a new site (new to me!).

It is http://www.vanillajoy.com./ They are a really great site that offers loads of information.

This week? they are doing some giveaways...all you have to do is post.

Check out this one...

Have you ever wanted a Cricut? If you know what it is, you will probably want one!

Go there...or be square!!! lol!

One day late...but not too bad....

2008-08-27T03:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband...

Can you guess how old his is??? His birthday was yesterday...but silly me didn't get to post a special page for him.

He is 50! Can you believe it? I think that he looks great! And with such a young chick on his arm...it can only help his youthful appearance, don't you think? ha!!!

I remember when we met...you tried to hold my hand and asked for my phone number...

I remember our first date...you locked your keys in your car...

I remember our wedding day...so special...

I remember the look, on your face, as you saw each of our daughters for the first time...

I am thankful that your parents raised such a good man...a loving, patient husband, an attentive, caring father, a God-fearing person.

I love you, honey. Happy Birthday to you!!!!

08/08/08

2008-08-08T21:18:00.008-05:00

Trying to explain to the girls that this won't happen for another 100 years.

Pretty cool.

We just got back from a swimming party for Katie's softball team. It was a good turn out and was hosted at the clubhouse pool of one of the girls' families. Allison couldn't get enough water. Eric was exhausted from toting her around the pool for about an hour. And Emily....well, she could have fun just about anywhere. She is very comfortable with this group of girls. We have known most of the families since the girls were in Kindergarten (some preschool...and one girl we have known since she was born!!!) Hoping that all 3 girls will be plenty pooped out and will sleep well.

This is the weekend of the annual TKE campout. Eric's buddies from college get together and act like they are 20yrs YOUNGER than they are. And most of them, I am sure, spend the whole of next week feeling like they are 20 years OLDER than they are.... ;)

Time to tuck the kiddos in. Yay!!!! Just kidding....a little....

G'nite!

Happy Birthday to Allison Lynn...

2008-08-03T21:15:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby, Allison.

I cannot believe that it has been 3 years since you joined our family...making us complete.

I will admit, the news of your presence and pending arrival was quite a surprise, but wonderful, nonetheless. Daddy and I thought that, perhaps, we were going to be a family of four forever. But God had so much more planned for us. God had YOU planned for us.

I remember telling Daddy that you were growing in my belly. We both were quite speechless for a few days. But we kept you all to ourselves for a few weeks. Finally revealing to Katie and Emily, that they would be big sisters...Katie would have 2 little siblings and Emily would know the "joy" of a little sibling. Katie and Emily were overjoyed...just like your dad and me.

I remember the ultrasound. At about 20 weeks. Daddy and I decided that Katie and Emily could go, too. It would be a family affair. You were, of course, the baby for ALL of us.

I remember that K&E were fussing, as sisters do and daddy was tending to them both. I remember that the ultrasound tech kept the wand rolling over my belly and I remember her asking if we wanted to know if you were a boy or girl. I remember as she typed a word on the screen....

"girl"

I knew it. All along, I knew that I was meant to be the momma of girls. I remember telling K&E...."it's a sister!"

We were all so happy.

You grew and grew in my belly. AND GREW!!!!

At 35 weeks, I went for an ultrasound to check how you have grown (I was measuring big).

The ultrasound tech did her measurements. You looked so wonderful. She wrote some numbers on a little card and gave me a picture of your profile. The card said "35 weeks. 8lb 12oz." I remember asking if that was how big she thought you would be when you were born. She replied..."no. that is how big she is now." Panic set in. You were growing to be a big girl.

The doctor decided to induce me a little early. Because of your growth. And I was happy to oblige him. It was so hot. We couldn't really leave the house. I couldn't stand the heat. You were like a little heater and you kept me warm all of the time!!!!

I went to the hospital and the induction started. I had decided to try to do things without an epidural.

Wow....thinking back, that was a crazy decision.

Labor progressed slowly but I got to 10cm after about 12hours. But you were still so high in my body that the doctors and nurses could hardly touch your head when they checked me. And high up you stayed. After 2.5 hours of pushing and crying and pushing and pushing....you were still high. So...I got an epidural. It was a beautiful thing. But...you didn't come down. Even with awesome strong pushes.

The doctor suggested a C-section and Daddy and I didn't really need to talk about it. We wanted you here!!!!!

So...at 6:41a.m., in OR 2, you were born. Screaming as soon as the air touched your body. I remember hearing the doctor say..."no wonder she wouldn't come down". You were a wonderfully, perfectly BIG baby!!!! Daddy had been by my head the whole time, but I wanted him to go check on you. I could hear you cry, but couldn't see you for a few minutes. Just the nature of the operating room. I was crying from the joy and shear exhaustion!!!!

You were healthy. And beautiful. All that we could ever ask for.

When we got to our room, Gma and Gpa B were there to greet you. (They were nervous because I was having surgery.)

The rest has been a blur. 3 years have gone so quickly.

Sometimes, some days seem to drag on forever - 3 kids can fill a house up quickly...

But, as I look at you now. I see the toddler that you were and the big girl that you are becoming.

Cheering as you use the potty successfully. Comforting you when you get a booboo. Being the number one person in your whole world.

You are a great kid.

You are houghtful. Sweet. Affectionate. SOFT!!! Caring. Bossy. And funny.

God certainly knew that we needed you in this family. We all needed you.

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby. You will always be referred to as "the baby".

We are so glad that you are here!!!

The picture? It was Allison's first Christmas and we were sitting by the tree. Talking about how we had to be gentle with it. We could touch it, but not pull on it...and I had the camera. I asked her to smile and she got right up to the camera and smiled....love that smile! (Think we'll need braces????)

Very excited about this book!!!!

2008-07-29T19:50:00.002-05:00

Hoping to get my hands on this book.

I am so intimidated by mini albums. But I read about alot of folks LOVING them. So...I will give them a try. And hopefully, with the help of this book!!!!

Gotta go....BIG storm coming.

A winner and a wedding....

2008-07-13T14:37:00.006-05:00

I am so happy to get to pick a winner of my RAK!

It is fun to give. Seriously....

I did the Random Number Generator, but didn't know how to make a cool copy of the page. I typed in that I wanted 1 number randomly picked from the numbers 1-17. And I got the number.....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:7
Timestamp: 2008-07-13 19:34:48 UTC

Suz said...
You are so sweet and really show us that there is so much to be thankful for big and little the Lord takes care of it all.I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus, family, friends, and for this great hobby of scrapbooking that gives me pleasure and I meet so many awesome people....
July 7, 2008 10:57 PM

So....I got 17 comments. 1 was from my oldest dd. But I told her that she could be in the RAK drawing. She is a hardcore scrapper. She will be sad that she didn't win...but that kid has quite a stash of sb stuff. I sometimes have to raid her stash to find something I need. Shhhh...don't tell her...

So....Suz/CraftySuz...http://craftysuz.blogspot.com/, please e-mail me with you address and I will get some goodies to you!

Now....for the wedding part....

My niece, Anna, married Sean, yesterday. The ceremony was lovely. The bride was beautiful...and the flower girl, ring bearer and reader were stunning (if I do say so myself).
I will post photos as soon as I can...as soon as I can figure out how to get pictures to my computer without my dock.

Have a wonderful day. I am trying to reclaim this disaster zone, otherwise known as HOME....

Laundry....ahhhhhhhh....

2008-07-10T12:48:00.002-05:00

Please remember to post here for my RAK!!!http://blessthismess-3girlsmomma.blogspot.com/2008/07/little-rak-for-all-of-kindness-that-was.html

My dryer has landed. Right where it is supposed to be. And my kids act like they have never seen a dryer. They are commenting on how shiny and white it is. Telling me how pretty and quiet it is. The first load??? Everyone's blankies and pillow cases.....

This will be us, today.....

Life's simple pleasures.

Have a wonderful day!

PS....THE wedding is in 2 days.

Bedtime prayers and laundry.....

2008-07-09T11:36:00.003-05:00

Please remember to post here for my RAK!!!
http://blessthismess-3girlsmomma.blogspot.com/2008/07/little-rak-for-all-of-kindness-that-was.html

I love this old photo. I don't know who this little girl is, but I am sure you have seen it before!!!

People are kind, and generous. I am so thankful. Still.

That isn't just talk.

As we were saying prayers, with our girls, last night, I was struck by the sweetness of it. The girls were on our bed, with their hands folded. Eric and I were kneeling at the bedside, looking at them.

Those girls are our world. And they know it. But they don't think about it all of the time. Because it is just the way it is in their world. They are loved, content and happy. This house that we call home is all that they know. It is their world and their safety net.

I want it to always be where they can feel safe and comfy. Where they can be themselves.

That is my goal. Always. To make this place a place where my family feels safe and where friends can come in and flop on the couch and hang out.

On another note....

Honestly, I cannot wait to do laundry in my own home. I know, I know...it sounds insane. But I have been without my dryer for over a month. after 15 years of faithful service, it gave me its retirement notice. And it is gone. Our new dryer (thank you to the great sale at Home Depot) will be delivered tomorrow. For a 2nd time.

We had a dryer delivered last week, and it had a little scratch on it. Bottom, front. The delivery guy asked me how much it bothered me because he could get a little money off of the dryer. I told him that it didn't bother me a bit...how much off????

Well....he set up the dryer and turned it on. It was loud, with a grinding, metal-on-metal sound. Come to find out, something has bashed in the back of the dryer. So they took it away. And couldn not deliver a new one til this Thursday. I was so sad. I even had laundry saved, to do that evening, in our new dryer.

I cannot wait to have warm, fresh towels in my home. Ones that smell like laundry and not the laundromat.

But, instead, I may have to resort to this. hahaha....Check out the long-johns. Obviously not my laundry!!!

Need to get camera fixed. ASAP!!!

Wedding this weekend and the girls will look so sweet! I cannot wait to see them in their "ballerina" gowns (as Allison puts it).

A little RAK for all of the kindness that was shown to me....

2008-07-07T14:30:00.007-05:00

Kind words mean so much. Really.

I try to offer them as much as I can. And they came back to me.

The last couple of weeks were challenging, to say the least. But my family is healthy and we have awesome air-conditioning. What more could we ask for? Well...a working sewer...and we got that!!!
And our new dryer will be coming this week, too.

All is well. We are thankful for all of the little things...

Girls in white dresses (my niece, Anna, is getting married this weekend and Emily and Allison are the flower girl and ring bearer, respectively).

Air conditioning (I cannot say it enough).

An awesome hurricane fan that keeps the air moving.

Little girls "scrapbooking" at the dining room table because it is too hot to go outside.

A job that lets me have several days off, in a row. And Eric's job, that gives us flexible hours so the girls don't have to go to daycare.

Family who loves us.

Friends who love us.

New online friends, who I have never met, but mean the world to me...Amy, Judi, Studio Calico, in general!!!.... :)

So much more.....

So...the RAK. It isn't much, but I think that it is cool enough....
ETA: RAK stands for Random Act of Kindness....

Just to say thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts.

I only have a photo of this...

I love this set. It is so girlie, summer-ish to me. There are more goodies, but I don't have a functioning camera.....

Please just leave a comment and tell me what you are thankful for...and I will draw a name Sunday, July 13th. I can't wait to use that random number generator!!! haha.

Be cool and stay well. Be well and stay cool.

Ami

A fun day and things that you never thought you would have to say....

2008-06-30T17:45:00.006-05:00

Aunt Mandy has been dying to go to the St. Louis Science Center. And Uncle Steve won't take her...so we piled into the van and went there ourselves!

We had a lot of fun. And did alot of walking. Allison's little legs were getting very tired. But that is OK. We all needed the workout.

Katie liked just about everything. Emily was especially fond of the rocks and fossils that she could watch them dust on and and clean. Emily loves anything that involves rocks, fossils, and dinosaur bones. And Allison...well...Allison loved the dinosaur.

This isn't your average, everyday dinosaur. I am not sure what kind it is, but it is life-size. And it had just killed a 3-horned something that lay beside it. And they acted alive. This one roared and moved. And the dying one moaned and breathed. And was bleeding.

She loved it. Everytime we would pass it, she would say "Hi, dinosaur..." like she was making sure he knew that she was his friend.

And this falls under things that you never knew you would say to your child, before you actually had the children.

Emily was singing. Loudly. About the planets. And the solar system. I wasn't paying much attention until Katie pointed out what planet that Emily was focusing on. Yeah...you may have guessed it. Uranus.

Emily just learned what an "anus" is. And is very intrigued by this word. And what began as a song about Uranus evolved into a song about your anus, my anus, our anus....

So...I had to say..."We shouldn't sing songs about an anus." And I kept a straight face.

Parenting...the weirdest job you will ever do!!!

God is Good.

2008-06-28T14:22:00.002-05:00

He answers prayers.

Prayers and Positive thoughts....

2008-06-26T08:38:00.002-05:00

It has been a rough week. But we shall persevere.

Our house is old. We know that. And old houses need new things.

Right now. It is a sewer line.

And we need it in a bad way.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy resolution to this mess (and I mean MESS).

I am ready to get on with the rest of our lives and this mess is ruling our lives right now.

Girls are healthy. Jobs are going well. Just this mess is rocking our little, old home.

Summertime is upon us!!!

2008-06-18T15:54:00.002-05:00

Well....summertime is here, at our house, for sure!

The girls are out back, with a friend, having a water balloon fight. Allison has sidewalk chalk all over her bottom (a diaper-free, big girl panty wearing bottom....yay!!!)

I love this time of year, when there is no schedule...only things that you want to get to...eventually.

I would love to add a photo...but the camera dock is dead. And it is the only way to charge my camera. Seriously. I already checked with Kodak. And the funds are not there right now, to get a new dock. So...the camera sits. I have a disposable on hand, just in case of something extraordinary....but today is just ordinary. And that is great!!!

Eric and I are on a purge and simplify kick right now. And it is SOOO needed!

I am hoping to do a scrapbooking RAK this summer. Get some of my loved, but no longer needed scrapbooking stuff a new home.

Eric's mom got some good news this week, regarding her health. And for that, we are so thankful.

Can't think of much else right now. But we are all here. Where we shall stay....

Because gas is $4.19/gallon. Unbelievable.

...and a belly button, too!!!

2008-05-28T15:22:00.004-05:00

Well...Allison is well on her way to a career as an artist. Her artistic skills rival those of her older sisters, when they were 2 (almost 3) years old.

As you see here...this is a person. Complete with arms and legs....and a belly button, too. She was quick to point this out to us. The stuff at the top of the person is it's hair. She must be basing this look on her mom's hair-do (or don't) first thing in the morning.

When Katie and Emily drew these...we called them "potato people". Can you guess why? :)

If she draws something for you, someday. Save it. It will be worth millions. Eventually.

Well...at least to her dad and me...lol

Have a wonderful day!!!

RAK's Rock!!!

2008-05-19T14:21:00.004-05:00

Um...yeah...dorky title. But they do...RAK's rock!

A RAK, you ask? RAK stands for Random Act of Kindness. These can be in many forms, but the RAK's that I see most often are scrappy stuff. Scrappers who want to share their bounty of scrappy awesomeness. And I appreciate that. Seriously.

Last week, I found out that I had won a RAK from this fine lady - Leah... http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/. Her scrapping style is one that I find difficult to copy but VERY lovely to look at. Very vintage-y and shabby chic. She is the designer of a kit club's kits (http://www.myscrapbooknook.com/store/pastkits.shtml) and the club wanted to share May's kit. I left a comment on her blog - telling what I thought of the kit - and I won.

And today...I got the kit.

It is lovely. That is a picture of some of the items, in the picture above. Old fashioned flowers on paper that looks as if it has crackled paint. These are colors that I think that my mom would like. So...I am going to scrapbook a baby picture of her. Hopefully, it will turn out nicely.

On another note...my camera dock is broken. (So, no new pics of the kids. Can't wait to get some new photos. They are growing so fast. Especially that baby.) It has hit the floor too many times to recover (don't ask). So....we are waiting to stimulate the economy by getting a new one...hurry Uncle Sam. Our stimulus check should be mailed soon.

I also need a new dryer. And a new alternator(sp?) on the van. And some new summer clothes, haircuts, shoes for the girls. Hurry up, Uncle Sam. Write that check...lol.

Happy Mother's Day to you!

2008-05-11T17:09:00.004-05:00

...and me!!!

Terrible of me not to have a more recent photo of the 3 of them together, but my camera has been on the outs (well...just the dock, so I cannot charge it or download it for right now).

These 3 make my days and nights as a momma complete. And I think that it is totally appropriate that they are all 3 looking in different directions...the photo is blurry because of the motion. Yeah...just like everyday.

I may have my good days and I know that I have my bad days...but when I lay me head down at night, I am thankful for the fun, joy, stinkiness :o, chaos, love, hugs, kisses, questions, headaches, exasperation, elation and EVERYthing that these girls give to Eric and me.

We are blessed. This we know for sure.

Happy Mother's Day to all...and to all a good night's sleep...lol

Happy Birthday, Kathryn Lynn!!!!

2008-04-30T17:58:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my first born.

Katie Lynn is 11 years old today.

Where does the time go?

It seems just like yesterday when the doctor announced...

"It's a girl!" (Her gender was a delivery surprise...)

Katie was born at 5:31pm. After many (36) hours of labor.

She was determined not to come out. After the forceps and vaccuum didn't do the job...she changed her mind and came out.

I was a very exhausted momma. The happiest, most tired momma in the world. I couldn't believe that God had blessed us with such a beautiful baby.

When I first layed my eyes upon her, I was struck by her dark eyes and black hair. I thought that she looked just like her daddy.

Kathryn Lynn Diekemper.

She weighed 8lbs 9oz (and would be the smallest of my 3 babies).

I have been the momma of Katie for 11 wonderful years.

Katie is sweet, sensitive, caring, thoughtful, intelligent and quietly strong.

Our lives have been blessed with our daughters...

But it was Katie who made us parents.

Happy Birthday, Katie. We are so glad that you are here!

Happy Birthday to Emily!!!!

2008-04-03T05:51:00.003-06:00

Wow! Our girls is 7 years old!

It is so hard to believe that Emily is 7 today!

It seems just like yesterday that our sweet baby was being born.

At 7:43 a.m. - Emily was born after 24 hours of labor. Although her labor was LONG.... when she was ready to be born...she decided to come out so fast that the nurses had to grab ANY doctor from the hall...Emily would not wait for our doctor (who arrived just minutes after Emily came into the world).

The nurses were telling me not to push...and I was not. But Emily had other plans. She couldn't wait...just like now.

So...at 7:43a.m....I became the momma of another sweet, baby girl.

Emily Lynn Diekemper.

Her middle name is the same as her big sister (and her mom). We let Katie choose the middle name. So Katie picked the best middle name that she could think of. Her own.

Emily weighed 9lb1oz. And was 19.5 inches long.

Little did Eric and I know, the awesome ride we were in for.

Emily is so sweet, genuine, caring, smart, sensitive and loving.

Happy Birthday, Emily! We are so glad that you are here!!!

Why...yes I am!!!

2008-03-09T00:28:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2008-02-14T09:06:00.004-06:00

I got to wake up to one of my sweet, fuzzy Valentine's this morning. She was sleeping, plastered right up next to me...breathing in my face. It was Allison...sweet as ever, peacefully sleeping. I kissed both of her eyelids.

I then got to wake up 2 more Valentine's...the Valentine on the top bunk didn't want to get out of bed...but does she ever? She got a kiss on her forehead.

The 3rd Valentine woke up easily...as usual. With a "Hi, mommy."

Just missing my Major Valentine...forever Valentine...Eric.

We will get to be together tomorrow evening...it has been a long week.

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart! We miss you!

Everyone is well....and SWAP goodies!!!

2008-02-12T20:23:00.002-06:00

I think that everyone is finally on the mend. FINALLY!!!
We are finishing up some antibiotics on Allison and no one really needs any bedtime meds...so that is wonderful for us!
Thanks for the prayers!

A website that I have become quite addicted to is Studio Calico (link to the left). I am in love with the kits...comprised of papers and goodies that I would never buy for myself or even be able to find in my area. The kits are like Christmas, every month, for a scrapbooking crazy, such as myself. The message board is made up of some inspirational, funny and cool chicks that I have ever "met". The design team work is something to behold...

ANYWAY...I became involved in a Valentine's swap. My first swap ever. Basically, you answer a little questionaire about yourself and the swap coordinator pairs you up with someone else and you get her questionaire. My partner was Sally D. She lives in Texas. I went crazy trying to put together a box of stuff that I was hoping that she would love. Stuff that I loved (and may have bought doubles of). I got her goodies before I was able to mail my stuff off. The stress of trying to get it right was insane.

My goodie box was wonderful. In addition to the scrapping stuff, I got a delicious candle (Bird of Paradise) and my home has not smelled so good as it does now!

Here is a pic or 2 of my swap goodies. I have not gotten to create with anything yet (my poor sick kiddos) but I will soon. Mark my word!!!

Thanks, Sally, for your generosity!

Have a great week!!!

It is official :(

2008-02-04T12:27:00.000-06:00

The baby has influenza. Like I didn't already know that.

The pediatrician says that she thinks it is an epidemic.
She swabs this sick kid first, then does the rest of her exam.

So...the prescriptions is just more of the same.
Double the Tamiflu dose. Continue the Amoxicillin.
Fluids and comfort measures.

I can do that!!!

My poor gal. Hopefully, she will be on the mend quickly.

Please pray for a healthy household for us!!!!

It was a matter of time...

2008-02-03T20:12:00.000-06:00

The baby is sick. 104 temp. cough. runny nose. vomitrociousness....

She is already on Tamiflu - Katie was diagnised with infuenza last Thursday.

So...we wait it out. Poor monkey is feeling very poorly.

When I am able to get some tylenol in her and her fever breaks for a few hours...she goes insane. Like she has to catch up with all of the playing that she has been missing. But then, she winds back down, as the fever goes up.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be our turn-around day. *fingers crossed*

So...for now...this is me.

Who's 'Enza???

2008-01-31T15:39:00.000-06:00

Influenza...My poor, monkey Katie has the real flu bug.
She is feeling rather yucky right now.
I picked her up from school yesterday and she was feeling tired and achy, with a sore throat. Not a good sign.

She got a fever...102 this morning.

To the dr we went.

I thought that it might be strep, but....that was negative.

Influenza was the diagnosis (thanks to a nasal swab).

So...we are at home, keeping warm, medicating fevers and aches and pains.

My poor girl.

On a lighter note, Emily is feeling better. Just about back to normal. Normal enough to want to bug her sick big sister. Yup, just about back to normal. :)

Allison? Well...we have her in a bubble, trying to keep her away from all germs. But she insists on breathing in the air inside the house and touching things that her sisters have touched. The soap and water is flowing here.

And we are expecting 6-9 inches of snow tonight. Hmph.

Cowgirl v.2008

2008-01-30T15:52:00.001-06:00

I had to share.
Grandma Brooks will especially like this one!!!

These are for you, mom!!

A blog give-away!!!

2008-01-30T12:26:00.000-06:00

Catherine Matthews-Scanlon is giving away a copy of her new book on her blog!!
Art from the Heart looks beautiful and I cannot wait to see a copy of it!

Click here to check out her blog and her book!!!

http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/2008/01/giving-away-two-copies.html

You will have to copy and paste the link. I cannot get the click and link thing to work...

I actually just bought one of those little sewing machines to try a little sewing on my paper!!! (Thanks for the GC, Erin!!!)

Have a great day!

btw...Emily is doing much better. She is off of school til Monday, to try and catch up with her rest and get back some of that famous ENERGY of hers!!!

New-monia.....

2008-01-29T10:21:00.000-06:00

Emily is sick. She is a sick little girl.
She was fine on Friday, after school. But on Friday evening, she just started feeling yucky. Our weekend was spent battling between feeling better and "worser".

By Monday morning, she had had enough. We went to the dr. Her temp was 103.8. She was feeling plain yucky (and quite a bit dehydrated). She had to get a breathing treatment at the dr's office. The diagnosis - pneumonia. My poor girl.

She is so active and full of energy ALL OF THE TIME...it is awful to see her lethargic and down.

We had to go for xrays. And the diagnosis stuck.

Now we are home - with antibiotics and an inhaler.

24hrs later...we are thankful for antibiotics (even the YUCKY tasting ones). she is on the path to recovery. But no school for a few days. Today is the 100th day of school and she is devastated that she cannot go. But, I think that she understands that she needs to get better.

Sweet Emily...get better SOON!!!!!!

Method Playground Entry - Bling in a shape...

2008-01-27T16:33:00.000-06:00

Here you go.
This is a layout of the girls, playing in the backyard.

The bling is in curly shapes, but connect the girls to eachother - just a bit of symbolism!

Rock the Vote!

2008-01-26T12:16:00.000-06:00

http://glassbooth.org

This is a link for those who ned a little help deciding who is the best candidate for you.
If you are like me, you really want to be up on the issues, but your brain freezes when you try to decipher it all.

Apparently, I am a Mitt or Mike gal. I thought I might be.

Check it out.

Happy Birthday to me!!!!

2008-01-21T10:55:00.000-06:00

not really my cake...

Happy Birthday to me.
I won't tell you how old I am. well...ok.
I am 38. I can't believe it.
I remember when 38 was so old. And I really don't feel my age.

Here's to a great day.
Eric and the girls are making me a cake.
I got breakfast made for me - a bowl of rice krispies, a waffle sandwich with jelly and a glass of milk - thanks Katie and Emily.
We shall see what the rest of the day holds.

Just for fun....

2008-01-16T23:53:00.000-06:00

53%

53%

Free Vermont Dating

go figure.....

The Invisible Woman

2008-01-16T14:53:00.000-06:00

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I’m thinking, ‘Can’t you see I’m on the phone?’Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping thefloor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me atall. I’m invisible.

The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more:Can you fix this?

Can you tie this?

Can you open this?

Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being.

I’m a clock to ask, ‘What time is it?’

I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel?’

I’m a car to order, ‘Right around5:30, please.’

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She’s going,she’s going, she’s gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package,and said, ‘I brought you this.’ It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.

I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription:‘To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are buildingwhen no one sees.’

In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a workthey would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.’And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees.’

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, ‘I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.’

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction . But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong,stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a greatbuilder.

As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, ‘My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes home made pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.’ That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself.

I just want him to want to come home.

And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, ‘You’re gonna love it there.’

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women."

-anonymous (from a widely circulated e-mail)

Lifehouse's Everything Skit

2008-01-15T10:06:00.001-06:00

A friend shared this with me. I wanted to share it, too.

Moving is what it is.

It is about 5 minutes long. Please take the time. You won't be sorry.

Method Playground entry.....BLING!!!!!

2008-01-13T21:37:00.000-06:00

This is my entry for the Method Playground "Bling" challenge.
I am not very good at photographing layouts, but I figured that this would do.
The photos are of Christmas Eve 2007. We were able to get the whole Diekemper family together, in one room....on one couch. Ralph, Lee and Danielle were able to come in from Pennsylvania. It was wonderfully crowded and chaotic.
I added a little bling on the red cutout paper. And I placed the "bling" heart over both of the pictures. The "you are here" symbolizes that you are in the heart of your family, wherever you go.
Have a great week!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-03T10:07:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

I have a Christmas post that I still have to add photos to. I need to find a free half hour or so.

For now, I will post this cool photo.

It is of the Diekemper's. All of us. Paul and Laverne Diekemper and the crew.

Front row...Joe, Emily, Katie, Ashtin, Jon
Couch...Andrew, Paul, LaVerne, Anna, Sean
Standing...Jean, Ralph, Lee, Danielle, Eric, Martha, me, Allison, Matt, Ellen, Howard, Ryan, Sarah

All of us together, for Christmas Eve. It was great...and thanks to Sean having a timer on his camera...we got a photo that me may not be able to get for a while.

More scrapbooking and paper crafts....

2007-12-17T21:42:00.000-06:00

A promise to myself....
I will post more of my stuff....even if I am the only one who looks....

:)

Christmas, Christmastime is here....

2007-12-17T20:41:00.000-06:00

Time for joy...time for christmas programs....

We attended the annual St. Mary's Christmas program tonight. I am so thankful that my children attend a school that has a CHRISTMAS program that celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Katie was in the chorus...that is what the 5th through 8th graders do. They don't have to be in the program, per se.

Emily was in the chorus that was in the program...

Needless to say, we got to see both of our kiddos perform. I love this part of being a parent. Seriously. The kids are so proud that of all of the work they have done over the last 6 weeks.

The first video is of the big kids chorus, singing Frosty they Snowman (look for Frosty). Towards the end, I panned to Emily, who was really getting into the performance.

And during the performance, when she wasn't rolling on the floor (no kidding), Allison found some friends to play ring around the rosie with.

We'll be baking cookies Wednesday...the good old fashioned way. It should be an awesome mess. I am sure that I will have photos.

'night!

Campaign for REAL Scrapping.....

2007-12-08T11:03:00.000-06:00

http://http//www.kimguymon.com/ from ScrapBiz....has said it well....

I think that everyone is afraid to say it, but Creative Memories has the right idea. We should document our lives...not just the 1 photo here and there.

Don't get me wrong...I love to do the 1 and 2 photo pages. But they stress me out and then I find that I haven't gotten anything done at all. I got into scrapbooking because I love to work with photos of my family, documenting their lives for them, and playing with paper - don't forget about the love I have for playing with paper! :)

From now on I will do the following (from Kim's website):
-Focus on the photos
-Add the stories and not just the names - limit the use of third-party quotes.
-Crop conservatively - Grandma's house in the background may be precious someday
-Use themed products - match photos to products
-Keep the page simple - don't overwhelm the photos with embellishments
-Use imperfect photos if that's all you have. Not every photo will be stunning.
-Reject time-consuming embellishment techniques
-Worry LESS about acid and MORE about history. (don't know about this one...I still worry about acid free. I want my albums/work to last for future generations!)
-Spend less time doctoring photos and more time scrapping
-Find your passion again!

Don't get me wrong...I will still do the occasional 1 and 2 photo page. I will still spend too long worrying about an embellishment. I will still put something with questionable acidity on my pages...but only once in a while.

I love my family. I love the books that I have created for them and about them.

Have a wonderful day!!!!!!!

Eric makes the front page!!!!

2007-11-24T09:19:00.000-06:00

From the 11/23/07 Edwardsville Intelligencer.....

http://www.goedwardsville.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19052655&BRD=2291&PAG=461&dept_id=473648&rfi=6

Skunk stirs up a neighborhood
Steve Horrell, shorrell@edwpub.net
11/23/2007

The call that came in to the Edwardsville police station early Wednesday morning must have been somewhat alarming: A skunk with its head stuck in a glass pickle jar had been sighted wandering on Quince Street. It looked like a striped astronaut. Around 6 a.m. Officer Jason Forsythe drove out to the apartment complex in the 400 block of Quince to have a look.
“He was laying there and when I put my headlights on, he got up and wandered around trying to get the jar off,” Forsythe said later at the police station.
Forsythe was reluctant to intervene, and the skunk has not been found. Neighbors said that it had first been seen four hours earlier and had apparently wandered over to Quince from Cherry Street.
An Edwardsville Public Safety officer who went out to the area about 9 a.m. said she was unable to find it.
A few minutes later Eric Diekemper was raking up his 16th bag of leaves and acorns from two massive oak trees that line his front yard at 411 Plum St. Two other trees in adjoining yards added to the pile.
Diekemper said he had noticed the public safety officer’s vehicle parked on Quince street, out behind his house, but had not seen the skunk.
The Diekempers moved to Plum Street eight years ago. Since then the city has extended Plum Street south to Center Grove Road, through a heavily wooded area that still contains plenty of deer and skunk. Diekemper says he has seen several skunks on Plum Street and Relocated 159 and neighbors have seen deer.
A couple of weeks ago, Diekemper says a skunk got into trash cans that he set out next to Quince Street.
“We were debating whether to call somebody about it,” he said. “But what do you do if you catch it? Take it to the shelter or something, but you get worried about getting sprayed or something.”
Diekemper actually did get sprayed last year. “I was coming up the back door and he was by the back door, and I thought, ‘Ohhh!’ I didn’t get totally sprayed.”
Edwardsville police fielded about 80 skunk-related calls last year, and have already fielded that many so far this year. Edwardsville Police Sgt. Dennis Gunderson urged residents to make sure that trash can lids are fastened tightly and no pet food be left in the yard.
It’s been a typical year skunk-wise at Madison County Rabies Control. So far 87 skunks have been turned in to the facility, on Illinois Route 143 near Edwardsville. The skunks are then euthanized, said Dr. David Hall, a veterinarian who works for the county. “A fair number of those have been from Edwardsville,” he said.
©Edwardsville Intelligencer 2007

Thankful....

2007-11-22T08:28:00.001-06:00

I am thankful for so many things....

I am thankful for my husband, who, a little over 14 years ago, married me - starting our little family. I love you, Eric.
I am thankful for my 3 daughters, who bring joy and love to my heart every day. I love you, Katie, Emily and Allison.
I am thankful for our warm home - a home where my children feel safe.
I am thankful for my salvation. I am saved because Jesus loves me.
I am thankful for all of my family....who love us and our children, who welcome us into their homes at any time, who call just to say, "How are the girls?"
I am thankful for my new job. A welcoming place to work - where I don't have to be scared to say "Merry Christmas".
I am thankful for Eric's new job. A wonderful challenge that has GREAT potential.
I am thankful for my friends, who listen to me and make me laugh.
I am thankful for our health. I am thankful for those sneezes and sniffle that remind me that my children are very healthy kiddos.
I am thankful for doctors and nurse, and medical treatments that give us hope for the future.
I am thankful for SO much more......

Thank you, Lord, for all that you do for us. Bless us and keep us safe and healthy. Bring us all together.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Trick or Treat.....

2007-11-02T14:54:00.000-06:00

Well, thank goodness that Halloween is over. It seems to be so much work. But the kids love it!

I had to work this year, at my NEW job, so Daddy got to have the fun of TOTing with the girls. They had a great time. And got WAY too much candy! But that is just my opinion....haha.

On Halloween night, Katie marched in the annual Edwardsville parade. She did a great job! so funny to watch her. It brings back so many memories!!!

Allison didn't quite understand what was about to happen, but she loved the dressing up stuff.
What a doll!!!! And Emily....she is such a sweetheart...and a ham....

Katie and Allison....the cutest witches....

This one is for you, Grandma Brooks.

Emily got to have the bluest of hair. She had more fun washing it out, making the shower water blue.

Here they are...the cutest witches around. Seriously...have you ever seen cuter witches?

October 17, 2006

2007-10-17T22:43:00.001-05:00

We miss you Grandpa Turner.

Labor Day...for sure!!!

2007-09-04T13:27:00.000-05:00

Well...the pregnant women in the St. Louis area took the holiday seriously.
There were babies being born ALL weekend! Lots of them. At least where I was.

I worked the entire weekend, 12hr shifts. It was my holiday to work and that means that I had to work the weekend, too. Not fun.

Anyway...I get a call this morning, from my immediate supervisor. She was very professional. She informs me that a doctor spoke to her about me. Called me out on a thing or 2. 1 was slightly correct. the other? Mostly incorrect. But this doc has a history of intimidation and that he did. I HATE when someone is on a power trip. And I hate when I get sucked into it. It makes me doubt and question myself. And I hate that!!! But...the carreer of a nurse is not pretty. We take alot of guff. We get blamed alot for things that were beyond our control. We have to do 10 things at once and get blamed if we fumble with one of those 10 things. BUT....we get to see life, every day. Sometimes we get to see death. And that isn't always bad. It can be very peaceful and meaningful.

I love being a nurse. I just hate when I have explain myself. I get very defensive. I am a good nurse. I am good at what I do. I have alot to learn. And I learn more and more every day.

Vent over.

It is a hot one out there today.

I worked all weekend and feel completely out of touch with my family and home. I missed Eric and the girls so much. Today is a veg-out day. I am trying to get back in the groove. But that is hard...especially when I have a 2yo shadow, at my feet all of the time. It is sweet. She missed me..... :)

More pictures soon....

Back to school!!!!

2007-08-22T13:13:00.000-05:00

Wahoo!!!! It is that time of the year.

The girls are completely thrilled that they are back in school. It has been quite a summer and school is just what they needed. They really missed the heck out of their friends.

Katie is very happy that she is actually switching classes this year. You know, one room for math, another for English...etc. It is the Big Time.... :)

Emily is so happy to see her buddies. She is a social kind of girl. I keep reminding her that her teacher is a bit different from her Kindergarten teacher. Her 1st gr teacher is a bit more strict. Katie had her for first grade. So...we know....

Her are a few pics from the first day - it was free dress. Most half days are.

Emily and her best-bud Sophia.

Emily at her desk. Front row. 1st grade!!!!

I hope that every day ends this way!!!!

The sisters. Kate had a great day. That back pack of hers weighed more than Allison. Can you see Allison trying to make a break for it???

The 2nd day (and just about every day after that) is uniforms. Don't they look adorable?

Our tween-ager. 10yrs old. 5th grade. Unbelievable.

I think that the girls look so sweet.

Our school girls......

Here's to a great year!!!

An update post....

2007-08-22T13:00:00.000-05:00

Emily completed her first season in softball. Her team had a get together at Alfonzo's. There, the awards were handed out. You may not recognize this reference, but Em won the "Charlie Hustle" award for her team. Her coach said that she was the only team member who could cover center field and 3rd base. And she did!!! When I told Eric about the award (a reference to the GOOD old days of Pete Rose) he laughed, because he knew it was SO true.
Emily is very proud of her very first trophy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALLISON. August 3rd. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS MONKEY IS 2 YRS OLD.
We celebrated the good old fashioned way. Family and cake. It was a good time.

We got the girls' bunk beds up. They are loving it. Thanks to Uncle Matt and Ashtin for the hand-me-down.

You can guess that Emily uses the top bunk like a stage. It is perfect for her. She looks so little when she sleeps in it.

Katie loves the privacy of her little "cave". She is at the age where privacy is prime. But she will lay on the top bunk when she talks on the phone. Unfortunately, Allison also loves Katie's cave-bed and we find her there often.

I'm feeling a little buggy....

2007-08-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

Cricut, that is!!!

Thanks, sweetie.

Eric let me get one. He was all for it when I suggested that he could call it my Christmas gift.

Now...off to do some paper crafting.

***smile***

Elsie challenge....

2007-08-08T12:57:00.000-05:00

5 goals for me.....

Or...

What I want to do before I turn 40....

1. Lose weight. Goes without saying.

2. Get my home organized.

3. Get a new job. One that I LOVE!!!!

4. Get all of my photos organized....I didn't say scrapbooked...ha!

5. Get our upstairs finished.

Are those too much? I hope not.
I have grand plans. I just need to put them into action.

How will she eat???

2007-07-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

Well....Emily and Katie continue to lose their teeth!

Last week, Katie lost 2 teeth within 24hours.

Sunday, Emily lost her a tooth that makes her have that cute, toothless smile. She has a sweet lisp in her talk before, but now....wow.

We make her say things just to hear how she will pronounce them.

The Tooth Fairy is going to need to take out a home equity loan!!!!!

By the way...How many teeth does it take to make the tooth fairy's house?? Emily was wondering. :)

Eric started a new job on Tuesday. He is a loan specialist at Cornerstone Mortgage in Belleville. He is excited to be starting in a new office.

I won a prize!!!

2007-06-29T14:18:00.000-05:00

Well. I frequently check on this blog called http://glitzitnow.blogspot.com/ (Glitz Design).

They had a contest about what was the weirdest thing in your purse/bag right now...

Well, I had recently found an old diaper bag from 2 or so yrs ago. Guess what was in it? Emily's ear tube.

The doctor found it out - as it should have been by then - and sitting in a little wax in her ear canal. He sandwiched it between 2 medicine cups and taped them together. He asked if I wanted it. Of course I wanted it. I didn't know what I wanted to do with it...probably scrapbook it.

Well...that ear tube won me this cute prize.

Yay!!! I love to win.

BTW, the girls are doing well. Summer is weighing heavy on us. Boredom is setting in. We are keeping cool. Emily and Allison had a virus this week. Allison had a touch of the croup. But we are all doing better now.

This moment....

2007-06-16T10:51:00.001-05:00

A snapshot of this moment...
Yourself: overwhelmed
Your Partner: working
Your Hair: bedhead
Your Mother: home
Your Father: going to the farm
Your Favorite Item: pillow
Your Dream Last Night: none
Your Favorite Drink: sweet tea
Your Dream Car: enough
Dream Home: organized
The Room You Are In: dining room
Your Fear: harm
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: here
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family
You're Not: thin
One of Your Wish List Items: car
The Last Thing You Did: breakfast
You Are Wearing: nightgown
Your Favorite Weather: 70's, sunny
Your Favorite Book: DaVinci Code
Last Thing You Ate: Scrambled eggs
Your Life: overwhelming
Your Mood: OK
Your Best Friend: Eric
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: scrapbooking
Your Car: Green Bean
What Are You Doing At The Moment: listening to kids
Relationship Status: happily married

How about you???

A new 'do for the baby.....

2007-05-29T13:57:00.000-05:00

I couldn't take it anymore.

She wouldn't let me put a barrette or a bow in her hair. The curl in the front was past her eyeballs.

She looked like a shaggy, cute BOY!!!

So...while she was trapped in her high chair, the tray full of rainbow sprinkles to keep her busy...I came at it with a water spray bottle and some scissors.

It was over before she knew it.

And....there are bangs....and I can see her eyebrows....and her eyes....

The curls are all still there...except for one.

Tooth #5 bites the dust....

2007-05-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

Emily lost her 5th tooth today. It was a very long ordeal.

An apple started the incident. The tooth became very loose at that time.

I dare say that there was just a little bit of blood shed.

Finally....after threats of not being able to go the the Bonifest with a tooth hanging from her mouth...mommy got ahold of the tooth and tugged. It practically fell out at that time.

Well...it is just about the cutest smile ever....tied with Katie and Allison of course...

Here is a peek.

A cute website to make characters with...

2007-05-22T13:36:00.001-05:00

Katie and Emily have alot of fun making their characters do things like snorkel down this hallway and meditate and levitate on the American Idol stage....just some fun....

Congratulations,Graduate!!

2007-05-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

Well. It is official. Emily is a first grader. FIRST GRADE!!!

She received her kindergarten diploma this morning.

We are so proud of her!

She also received an excellence in music award. Who would have thunk it???

We will be going to Pizza Hut - as is our tradition for kindergarten graduates.

Congratulations, Emily! We are very proud of you and love you so much!!!

Not sure what was going on with her socks......

Can you hear me now???

2007-05-07T13:43:00.000-05:00

Thank the Lord that these ears are done!!!

Allison had her "bilateral myringotomy with tubes" (ear tubes) done this morning. We are hoping to have the same results that Emily had with hers - NO MORE EAR INFECTIONS!!!

Allison did well. She woke up a little mad, though. The nurse said that the first thing she did was pull off her moniters and then her socks. She settled down a few minutes after Eric and I got there.

Apparently, all she needed was 3 - yes, count them - 3 minutes of anesthesia.

We prayed for Allison to do well with surgery, and for Jesus to guide the hand of her surgeon - Dr. Hessler (younger than me, I might add).

Thankfully, all is well. Allison had a little bit of a sick stomach when we got home. But she got sick just a little, and then was very hungry.

Now....if she would only nap....

Happy Birthday, Kathryn Lynn!!!!

2007-04-30T23:29:00.000-05:00

Our sweet girl, Katie, turned 10 years old. At 5:31 p.m. Katie is our sweet, kind, caring, considerate, pretty daughter. She is such a good big sister (usually) to her little sisters.
Katie is smart - brightly impressing her teachers, as well as us, her parents.
Katie made us parents. She has a big role, being the leader of the girls in our house. She sets a strong example, that her younger sisters are watching all of the time.

Katie, we love you with all of our hearts. Thank you for coming into our lives. Our lives are so much brighter because of your smile.

The old man still has it!!!

2007-04-26T13:17:00.000-05:00

I got to go to the Scottrade Center to see Billy Joel (Thanks, Jean!!!). I have never seen him live before - despite my slight obsession with him in high school. He sounded great! We were not disappointed (maybe just a little - he didn't play Uptown Girl).

My nosebleed has finally stopped (the seats were WAAAAAY back).

The accoustics were awesome.

I thought that it was funny that he was wearing those black, orthopedic tennis shoes that guys his age often wear.

He was an entertainer!

Katie Lynn

2007-04-17T16:35:00.000-05:00

13 days til my first born is a decade old (how she put it).

Where does the time go?

Beware of big sisters....

2007-04-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

When big sisters are cleaning their room...and find things that don't fit them anymore...beware of what they will do with them.

Little sisters LOVE it!

cloned...

2007-04-13T08:18:00.000-05:00

Just a funny....

Happy Easter!

2007-04-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Easter, this year.

The Easter Bunny came, of course. He hid eggs and left some great Easter Baskets that have been emptied by now.

Eric and Katie went to church on Saturday night. I took Katie and Emily on Sunday morning. It is just so hard to take Allison, right now. I am glad that we did not take her this Sunday. It was standing room only. Seriously.

We have been having alot of discussions, recently, about the meaning of Easter and our salvation. Katie and Emily are fully aware of the meaning of Easter. And Katie is saved. Emily is still working on it. She has so many questions. My favorite for the week - "Mom? What are angels made of?" That is a hard one to answer. Eric and I told her that they are made up of good thoughts and Jesus' and God's love. Another good question from Emily... "What do I do if I see a guardian angel?". Katie and I told her to wave to them and tell them thank you for watching over us.

God bless you!

2007-04-10T10:28:00.000-05:00

Emily's party was so much fun! We had a great time. The girls made very cute bears/dogs/cats/dolls. We had cupcakes and drinks in the food court. Emily wanted green cupcakes with pink icing and sprinkles. Of course, I got the cupcakes all the way to the mall and then DROPPED them! But they still tasted good!!

Katie was the dutiful big sister and participated, against her will...haha. She got some good loot out of the deal, though.

Allison stayed home with Daddy. Allison is not too cooperative, these days. We like to say that she is advanced - she is acting like a 2yr old already. lol.

After the party, we went and got hair cuts from Aunt Mandy. Emily got a shorter bob for summer. Katie, who has enough hair for 2 people, got long layers and got her bangs blended and got a little thinning done. The result is a prettier ponytail (her hairstyle of choice for school). (Top photo)

2007-04-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

We had a small family party for Emily's actual birthday. She got to choose what she wanted for dinner. She picked her absolute favorite meal - BURRITOS!!!!

We had cake the night before, so I wanted to get her something sweet to put a candle on.

I got an Easter cookie at the grocery store. Perfect fit for 6 candles.

What a sweet girl! I love this picture.