It's the Little Things...

Grandpa (my dad) with Aiden and Stephon.
These are a few of the tulips I grew this spring.
"Pumpkin," Ashley's cat enjoying my summer garden - before it was in bloom.

I know that everyone always says, "It is the small moments that matter the most," but it is such a cliche. Tonight however, I can honestly say that it is true.

My dad has come to visit for a few days. He drove up on Sunday (Father's Day) with Stephon, Cameren, and Chandler. I cooked dinner and we had a lovely dinner out on the patio. Tonight, as we were sitting in the yard talking and enjoying each others company, laughing at the kids, and relaxing, I looked up and Stephon was "watering" my garden with one of my planters shaped like a watering can. There was dirt going everywhere. He was really trying to be very neat, but he's two! He played there in my garden for 15 minutes and was completely at peace. A few times he would look over to where we were and smile. What a cutie. Of course, when I went into the house to get the camera he left the garden and started playing with the big kids, but that memory of this sweet little boy, smiling and playing in my garden, will live in my heart for a very long time.

Brad Paisley and Friends

For Ashley's 8th grade promotion we gave her tickets to a Brad Paisley concert. She took her friend Amy. I think it is safe to say that everyone had a good time. We took the boys and they did great! I had no idea that concerts were so much fun. Tim slept through most of it - hard to believe, but he did! I'm ready to go to another concert. Who is coming next? Who wants to go to a concert with me? Tim is hesitant. It was hard for him to work the next day. Enjoy the photos...

Random Ramblings...

I'm suppose to be cleaning my house and running, but instead I find that I'm unmotived ~ so, here I sit typing. Procrastinators of the world unite! Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and read what's been up on our world for the last three weeks. I really need to be more current with this blog thingie...

My birthday -

No - it was not a camping lantern. I got a Dyson Animal Vacuum. No, it's not sexy, but it is so much fun. I actually vacuum my floors now! It is a huge deal around our house! My day was spent cleaning out the garage. It was so full of crap that we couldn't even get the Excursion parked in there! We didn't get it finished, but we are slightly more organized for the next cleaning day...(which will occur on Father's Day.) My girlfriend called around noon and demanded that she watch the boys and Tim and I go to dinner. We went to "Nic's" for a very nice dinner. Ashley stayed home with Isaiah, and Melissa watched Aiden. Ashley didn't want to go, but she volunteered to watch one of the boys.

Time with Friends...

Last week, my friends Wyatt and Wylie came to spend the afternoon with us. I had forgotten how lazy summer days can be. Check out the way the kids spent a large portion of the afternoon.

Wylie is sitting on the left side, Wyatt is sleeping on the couch, and Ashley is sprawled across the loveseat on the right side of the photo. Those were the days...

Wylie saw Wyatt and Tim eating peppercinis and he decided that he could eat them too! Hmmm... maybe he just needs more practice.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm 36 today!

Tim thinks he's so sneaky! I always tell him suggestions for gifts for me and he never gets me what I want ~ he gets me what he thinks I would want. He wants me to be surprised. Well, this year I told his mom what I wanted and she talked to Tim about it. Luckily, Tim's mom goes shopping every Thursday so when she came over on Thursday afternoon I knew - I was going to receive the gift I requested. Silly Tim - he actually wanted to hide the gift from me. Want to see where he hid my birthday gift?

Yep - that is the back seat of the Excursion. He still doesn't know that I found it...

Ashley's Home!

Yeah! Ashley is home.

We watched "Invasion" tonight. Does anyone know, Is the movie based on the old film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers?" It was definately weird.

Answer to my drink question:

Caramel Macciato with two pumps of mocha. After reading up on the total calories, I threw the nasty, fat laden, artery clogging, sugar filled beverage away! I only drank half. From now on - I drink my own brew or buy an herbal tea. There - it is now public. No more Starbucks coffee/macciato/frappacino/latte beverages. (I do love their peppermint mocha during winter...)

My healthy eating friends will be glad to know that my day got better regarding my food choices. For lunch I had a slice of turkey with cream cheese and cayanne pepper sprinkled on it, with a slice of cheddar cheese, and an apple with fresh cinnamon sprinkled on it. Cinnamon is supposed to maintain positive blood sugar levels throughout the day...

Snacks were nachos (homemade) and salsa. Dinner - pizza and wings. All homemade. Dessert was the best. I don't know what it is called, but we learned how to make it when we were at camp in Georgia. You take a tortilla and spread peanut butter on it. Then you sprinkle mini marshmallows over the peanut butter. Next, you sprinkle chocolate chips over the marshmallows. Toss it in the oven and turn on the broiler. Broil until the marshmallows turn brown. It is the BOMB!

Oh - this is also the first day that I've actually gotten all 64 oz of water in me! Huge achievement. I don't drink enough. Often I will go all day with out drinking anything other than an occasional sip of water. I've also quit drinking soda. I usually would have one soda a day. Now I'm down to one every 2-3 days. It is diet soda so it isn't too bad calorie wise, but my little brother Lance said that the diet soda could be the cause of my migraines. Hmmm... something to think about.

Random Questions Wanting a Reply...

Does anyone know how I can link my computer with Ashley's laptop? We have the same internet connection. In fact, if she emails you, it comes up with my name because it is my name on the account. My intent is to occasionally use her computer away from home to access my documents and pictures on my computer.

The second question is: Can I somehow buy a link or chip or something to print from Ashley's laptop to my printer? Without them being connected by a cord? So, for instance, I can type a document on her computer in the kitchen and have it print at my printer in my bedroom.

Let me know. I know there is a computer guru out there somewhere...

Holy Running Shoes, Batman!

Holy Cow! I just checked the calorie content of my nifty little breakfast drink... are you ready for this?


290 calories! That is for my drink alone. It doesn't include the fried cherry fritter or the fat laden chocolate bismark. Crap. That might be all of my daily calories in one meal. Guess I'm done for the day. NOT! I will have to eat an apple or something healthy. I already feel my hypoglycemia count down happening. Stupid - but oh so worth it. The boys and I will take two walks today!

Who Wants to Calculate the Calories I Consumed for Breakfast?

I wonder how far and how long I will have to run tonight to counterbalance the calories in my breakfast...

Want to know what type of coffee beverage I drink? Try and guess... I'll let you know later.

Prayer Request

My niece, Kaylee James, has a cancerous (is that a word?) tumor behind her eye. She is only 6 weeks old. Steven and Lindsay have done tons of research and will be heading to New York on Monday to see another specialist. Please pray for healing and that they are able to find a great doctor that will work with them.

My Nightly Dose and other Random Thoughts

OK - I found my "Nightly Dose" ~ it's running. OK - it is "wogging." Wogging is a cross between jogging and walking. My heart rate monitor has me wogging right now. Guess my heart and my mind are not in the same shape. I've run (run because it is shorter to type) the last two nights and I feel rejuvenated! I love it. I have to run after the boys fall asleep so that means it gets to be a little late. Really late tonight. Isaiah was having a weird night - he didn't want to go to bed. Either he had a gas bubble in his belly or his teeth are really bothering him. Therefore, I didn't get started until 10:pm. Yuck. Anyway - how do you stretch your hips? Mine hurt after running. I'm going to soak in a hot bath in few minutes...

Coffee Addiction

OK - I didn't really like coffee until I discovered Starbucks. Let's face it - the actual coffee isn't that good and it is really overpriced, but we still drink it. If you put enough mocha and caramel in it anything will taste good. I discovered a web site that delivers coffee beans (or ground) to your door. It is called Boca Java. They have great coffee. I don't even have to add anything to mine sometimes. I got my monthly shipment today. They also have tea. The best tea. Even better than Whittard's Irish Cream. Those of you who know of my Whittard's obsession know that this tea is good. My dilemna is this: I had my heart set on Starbuck's for my Friday morning. I was going to go into town, (driving my vehicle - not walking) hit the bank, and Starbucks, visit with the locals at the supermarket, get a few items for dinner, and wander home. Now, with my new coffee - I might have to make my own. Whatever will I do? I'll let you know tomorrow. I ordered Hound Dog Heaven for this month. It is rich peanut butter and creamy banana coffee. It smells divine. I'm sniffing it as I type. I might have my mind made up already...

Ashley comes home on Friday!

I'm so excited - Ashley will be home in 18 hours. I've actually missed her! Not that missing her is surprising, but she has only been gone for 3 days and I've talked to her twice. She even sounded a little homesick. What will she do in Holland for 2 weeks? She will not be taking a cell phone - that is for sure.

Breeding Beef

Ashley's little heifer, Breezy, came into heat today. We called our good friends to come help inseminate her. Actually, they do all the work - we just stand and watch. Now we wait the 21 days to see if she "took." The odds are good that she did - we were able to find her at her optimum peak. The cow, Coral, was bred a couple of weeks ago. We are hoping to have two babies next spring (late winter).

My Daily Dose

Aren't these two of the most handsome boys you've seen? They are my daily dose. My men that are with me 24/7! This photo was taken this last weekend at my mom's house. I often have two in a front carrier, but Aiden is getting a bit big...

During the school year I had a routine. Monday through Thursday I would take Ashley to school. Two of those days I would stop off at the local supermarket for a Starbucks and some socializing on the way home. That is the beauty of a small town ~ everyone gathers at the supermarket at some point so you can visit. I'm one of those people. The boys love the produce department because Nancy always picks them up and holds them. Granny Howe is there on Mondays and Wednesdays and so we usually stop one of those days so she can see the boys, Michelle now works at Starbucks and knows the entire town so people are always stopping to see her, and therefore if you are around, you can visit with them as well. Do you understand the cycle? We are often bored here! Back to me and my dilemna. So, now that school is out I don't have any reason to drive my large vehicle around town wasting finite resources. What is a girl to do? I miss my expensive, overpriced, wickedly fat laden, sinfully delicious coffee. Yes, I can make a pot at home - and I often do. I only want one cup though... On Fridays, we would stop at Beto's and get breakfast burros. The best place in town for fast Mexican food. Only it's not so fast because they don't cook it until you order it and if there are a lot of people... just call your order in people! Maybe we won't give up Fridays. ;)

So - my plan is this. I will walk every morning. OK - so it isn't a great plan, but I figure that eventually I will be able to walk all the way in town for that coffee and it will be guilt free! Plus, it will kill about 3 1/2 hours of my morning. I figure about 1 1/2 hours to get to town, 1/2 hour to drink coffee and socialize, then back home.

My 5K training is back on. For those of you who were supporting me before the boys - get your shoes ready. I'm back. I'm starting from the beginning though. I find that I don't have the time during the day so I'm running at night. I had just finished my running session last night when Isaiah woke up. I didn't get to stretch or cool down very well. Hopefully tonight will be better. When Ashley gets back into town she will be relentless. She pushes me very hard. Dang those young people and their energy and lithe bodies.

I recently found out that our town hosts a 10K every year. I'm thinking of trying it this year. I'll let you know. Anyone want to run with me?

Quick ~ While the boys are in a Zen moment...

OK - that was way to quick - I hear my boys now...

I need a new "Daily Dose". I'll explain that later I hope. Here is a quick 4 month update on the boys....

Shots Suck!

The boys had their 4 month check up on Tuesday. They each had 2 shots in each thigh! 4 total!! Are these doctors crazy? Then they had to drink something for something. I don't pay to much attention. The immunizations are necessary for entering school and staying healthy so we do it.

That being said.

Aiden (my big guy!)
19 lbs

26 in. long

Isaiah

15 lbs. 14 oz

26.5 in. long

They are progressing at an average rate. Aiden is in the 95th percentile for weight. He won't be getting juice any time soon.



OK - gotta run. The zen moment with R. Carlos Nikai has passed. I'm wanted. What a lovely feeling. I have to sometimes repeat that to myself 10-12 times and force a smile on my face. :)

The boys are totally zoned right now. They just got back from a 45 minute walk, a nice quick nap, and now they are enjoying the tranquil music of a Native American flute.