Kyle's first time in the snow

Here are the kids in the 50 billion inches of snow we got this winter. LOL I declined to take Kyle out until just recently. He wasn't too fond of the snow, I think partly because his snowsuit was too big and bulky. Poor thing could barely stand in it.

6 word memoir

I was tagged with this from Shawna at This is Me.


As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should write one. I said that my story would be much too short and rather boring so when I ran across the following book I decided it was just my speed. A six word memoir! Written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Expecting: Six Word Memoirs by Famous and Obscure is a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book, it sounds like a fun read! I’d like to start a six word memoir meme and here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4 .Tag five more blogs with links
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

So here's my 6 word memoir:

Christ is the way to happiness.

I won't tag anyone since I can't really think of anyone who would do this....although maybe Sandy might. :)

If you are up to the challenge, feel free!

Honestly....I swear

I swear I didn't forget about you....or this blog. I really haven't.

I just have other priorities I guess. My book has been a huge thing for me lately. I've been incredibly motivated thanks to a friend of mine who has offered to critique it for me. So I have been busting my butt trying to finish editing it so she can read it. I don't have too much left to edit either...so we are almost there. Then the sad part....I will have to edit some more!! LOL Edit, edit, edit. The joys of writing. :)

I've also been critiquing her book....so that comes with quite a bit of reading. So mainly if I'm not writing my own, I'm reading hers, or I'm on myspace!! haha I know. But I've really been enjoying it lately.

I had some time on Monday since Ryan spent the day (and 2 nights) at grandma's and I just had Kyle....but I opted to be the Domestic Engineer (haha) and clean the house. Or parts of it anyway. Always something to get in the way. Why would I want a clean house anyway?

Anyway, I will take time out of my busy schedule soon to update. I have some cute pictures from the church Spring musical Ryan was in. It was adorable!

It's a sad day in Wisconsin

I believe my heart has just been broken. I am crushed.

Brett Favre has just announced he is retiring. Oh what a sad sad day for Packers fans everywhere.

Honestly, I suppose it is time for him to retire. He has been in the league for 18 years, 17 of those with the Packers. He has broken just about every record possible. He has mentioned that he is just not there mentally anymore to be able to play everyday at Superbowl strength. And I don't blame him. It has to be hard to be "on" every Sunday....and even before then as he needs to prepare for the games.

I will miss him terribly. I love the Packers, but honestly Brett was the main reason I watched the games.

It's the end of an era.

Good luck in the future Brett! Your fans will certainly miss you!

I'm going to go crawl into a corner now and cry for a while.

What have you been up to?

Good question. Not much. Just haven't really had anything exciting to blog about recently.

I've been working on my book as much as I can. I found motivation to continue on with it and I'm so excited to finish it! I'm about half done with editing (the first time anyway) and am in the process of having a fellow writer critique it. I'm on my way!

I've been trying to read again too. I miss reading. I have been addicted to books lately (that's another post) and figure it's about time I should probably start reading some of them. I'm currently reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I haven't gotten very far yet...it's a big book so it might take me, oh, about 6 months to read! LOL

Kyle is very interactive now, walking really well, giggling, playing, etc, so I've been trying to spend time with him. He has become rather picky about eating lately. I'm not used to that as Ryan has always been a good eater.

I need to register Ryan for kindergarden next week. Yikes. I can't believe in just 6 months or so he will be going to all day school. Gosh they grow up way too fast. It seems like just yesterday he was a baby.

Oh yeah, and Kyle is now officially off the bottle. He started to wean himself. He slept through the night two nights in a row, so I put them away. Last night though he had a rough night, but we got through it. Now I'll need to start weaning onto whole milk.

That's about all for now. I'm still around....just been doing other things!

My angel has wings.....

Tomorrow is the anniversary of my miscarriage. The day I lost my baby. I was 9 weeks along. I had to have a D&C done.

It still hurts and I'm still sad. I don't think it's something we ever get over. But I know it happened for a reason and I will someday meet my angel baby.

I will light a candle and say a prayer tomorrow for my angel.

Kyle 1 yr pictures

Kyle's one year check-up

My little chipmunk is doing great! He is 19 lbs 6 oz and 29 inches. He is in the 5th percentile. I was a little disappointed about that as he was in the 50th percentile at 6 months. But the doctor isn't worried because Ryan is small...he never made it above the 5th percentile so Kyle is right about where his brother was. LOL

He is right on target and perfectly healthy.

Our next task is to wean off the bottle (wish me luck) and to switch from formula to whole milk. I will be doing this slowly sometime in the next...few weeks or so. I'm a little nervous about taking away the bottle. He only has one bottle a day, but it happens to be in the middle of the night. Guess eventually I'll have to suck it up and deal with crying for a few nights!

He received two shots and took them very well, though he was cranky this evening.

Ryan got a shot too. He had to have the second chicken pox vacc. He was so brave...he told the nurse he was going to go first. LOL I let him have a lollipop. :)

My baby is now a toddler. Time sure flies.

First time eating cake

Kyle's first time eating cake was rather interesting. He wasn't too sure of it at first, which I thought was odd as he usually is eager to get anything and everything into his mouth. I think though by this time he was tired.

Mom!!!!! What IS this?????

Hhhmmm, guess I'll put it in my mouth and see what it is.

Ok, not bad. This could be good.

oh yeah!! Bring on the sugar high!!!!

Kyle's birthday party

We had Kyle's first birthday party on Sat, Feb 2. It was a small party of just family and friends. Kyle had a blast. He was in a good mood and lasted well all afternoon. I gave him an early nap and it actually worked out pretty well. He loved opening the presents...he received mainly diapers, clothes, and a few toys. A nice ride on firetruck from mommy and daddy though was probably his favorite gift.

The balloons I get every year for my children on their birthday. It's a tradition I've made for my kids. Something special I get for them for their birthday. It always matches the theme of the party. For Kyle it was just a 1 yr birthday boy party.

Ah...the best part. The cake! Ryan blew out the candles for his little brother.

I had the cake made at Pick N Save. I love the way they do it there. I just gave them a napkin with the design on it and that's what they did with it. It turned out perfect. And it was delicious!

Sorry for delay

My how time gets past me these days.

I haven't been posting much due to several reasons:

Illness. This has been a bad season for my family. We all have been sick off and on for the past month. I think it's because Ryan is in school and brings home all the lovely illnesses. The achy/fever flu went through our household a few weeks ago. Once we all got over that, the stomach flu came with a vengence. I think now we are all finally back up to normal...for now. Who knows what's going to hit us next!

myspace. I have literally been obsessed with myspace recently. Funny how that happens. You go from not liking something at all to completely loving it. Actually, that's how most things in my life go. I remember feeling that way about Bob, and then I married him. I felt that way about computers (I seriously felt I had no use for computers whatsoever) and look at me now! It was the same with myspace. I refused to go on it for the longest time. Then I opted to get an account just to see what the hype was about. And then I found friends. And I realized Michael was on there and could be his "friend". And I started liking it. Little by little.
About a week ago an old high school friend whom I haven't talked to since graduation I think found me on myspace. It was so exciting to hear from her! And it really made me think. Could there be others out there? So I spent several hours searching all over myspace for other high school classmates. And it didn't stop there. No. I went on a search for friends from college. I found some from high school, but didn't find any from college. I'm not surprised as the colleges are much broader to find someone in.
So I have been constantly checking my myspace, keeping updated on it, writing messages, etc.

my book: I'm still attempting to finish editing my book. I'm half done with it now. But I have very little free time these days (and what little free time I have seems to be taken by myspace!!) so it's going slow. However, as mentioned above, I found a friend from HS whom is also a writer. She has written several books (non published) and seems to have more experience in the whole attempting to publish thing. She has motivated me to write more as we are going to exchange books to edit/read. Very exciting!

At any rate, I'm attempting to keep up on here.

Book Tag

Shawna at the Homeschooling Experience tagged me with a book meme. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to do a book meme.

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.

2. Open the book to page 123

3. Find the 5th sentence.

4. Post the next 3 sentences.

5. Tag 5 people


"And as they sit together in the car, his father revisits a field 209 kilometers from Howrah. With his fingers lightly grasping the bottom of the steering wheel, his gaze directed through the windshield at the garage door, he tells Gogol the story of the train he'd ridden twenty-eight years ago, in October 1961, on his way to visit his grandfather in Jamshedpur. He tells him about the night that had nearly taken his life, and the book that had saved him, and about the year afterward, when he'd been unable to move."

~The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

I had just received this book from a friend of mine. She read it and recommended it to me. She likes to buy books, read them once, and then usually gives them to me. Me, on the other hand, am a book hoarder. I collect them! I haven't started reading this one yet. I just hadn't put it away yet! hahaha

I don't have many people I can tag that hasn't done this yet. So Cindy, it's all for you girl! gives you something to do while you are waiting for that baby girl to make her appearance!

Storm of the season

We had a huge snowstorm last night/today. The biggest one we have had in a long time. We got a total of a foot of snow. Everything was closed: schools, churches, malls, businesses. The snow was packed up so much I could barely open the back door.

The view from the front door....you can't even see the sidewalk or road!!

Here is after Bob shoveled part of the deck so he can at least get to the shed where the snowblower is! Nice foot of snow on top of the about 8 inches we already had from last week.

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Just in case I don't get to post tomorrow.....

A big huge Happy Birthday to Kyle......who will be ONE tomorrow!!! :)

I can't believe the baby that I tried so desperately for, that I spent over two years trying to conceive and wanted so badly, is now one years old. Where did that time go?

He is becoming quite the young boy already, with his very own unique personality...so different from Ryan.

He's very independant and curious. He loves to explore the world around him and that of course means getting into everything.

He's already walking, though he still prefers crawling as it's faster.

He's not my "baby" anymore.....as now he's considered a toddler. My precious boy :)

Happy Birthday Kyle Michael. We love you!

Quarantined

I have been grounded to the house this week. Due to illness.

The flu has not just hit our house, but it has bombarded our house with nuclear missles of disease.

Ryan first came down with it on Monday. He spent the whole day literally laying on the couch. For a very active 5 yr old to do that, you know something is wrong.

Tues I came down with it. It's some nasty stuff too. Fever, stuffy nose, achey, chills, loss of appetite and energy. Nasty bug.

Wed Kyle got it. Which actually wasn't too bad because I still felt awful, so Kyle and I were sitting on the rocking chair together, looking awfully pathetic. I sat on the chair with Kyle for at least 4 hours straight....I couldn't move.

Thurs Bob got it. Yep, it spread like wild fires in the house. I couldn't believe how quickly it went through the house.

Today we are all still trying to get over it. Kyle and Ryan seem to be close to their normal selves now. Bob and I are still dealing with the sinus part.

I wouldn't wish this flu bug on my worst enemy. Hopefully this will be the last we see of being ill for the season. Hopefully by the weekend I can get back to the land of the living again.

On to next season...

The Packers lost. Need I say more?

Blah.

Actually they did really well. They only lost by 3 points.

And I'm proud of them. They had an incredible season. Going from 4-12 last year to 1 game away from the Superbowl is quite an accomplishment!

Go Pack Go!

I sure hope Brett Favre comes back next year :)

Rock N Roll Mamma

A few weeks ago when I went to the Night Ranger concert, I had heard on the radio that Great White was coming. I just about flipped out. First off, anyone that knows me, knows Great White is my all time favorite rock band. Secondly, I haven't seen them in concert in at least 8 years. I'd say it's more like 10 years, since the concert I remember the most is the Let It Rock tour at The Rave in 97, but I know I've seen them on the Can't Get There From Here tour in 99, I just for some reason can't remember the concert. Time slips by and the first to go is the memory!

Some background about my obsession--er--love of Great White. I first noticed them way back in 1989 (yes, back in the day of big bands and even bigger hair). I was 14 (yikes!) and I'm not sure if I first heard them during the Top 40 or whatever top billboard chart was on (I think it was the one with Casey Kasim) or if it was in my basement while I was helping to decorate for my brother's wedding reception. Either way, I first heard the song Once Bitten Twice Shy and I fell in love with it. It wasn't my style of music at the time. I was into pop, dance, top 40 stuff at the time. Things like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, many of the top 80's pop you hear now. My brothers were into rock like Rush, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC, and I got into some of that, but not enough to be a regular listener at the time. So when I heard OBTS it was very different for me. I remember hearing Michael play the keyboard and thinking wow, that sounds awesome! Then when I saw the video for the song I was absolutely smitten! I was totally in love with Michael (how is so hot!) and in fact, ALL the guys were hot. How can you not like a band that sounds awesome and are good looking?

Anyway, I picked up their cassette (yes- cassette, before the CD days) and loved the rest of their songs. I was "Hooked" from then on. And my infatuation with Michael grew with each video or picture I saw, or each new song with a keyboard part in it. In fact, in 1991, when I was 16, my infatuation grew to all time high. (could be the puberty thing). I actually started a book at that time based on a fantasy I had about him. The book I'm currently writing is actually based on that. (loosely based on him since I don't know him.....yet).

I continued to keep tabs on them, though my obsession would wax and wane depending on what was happening in my life at the time.

I saw GW several times in concert.....I'd say probably about 4 or 5 times total in the last 18 years. They never disappoint.

There's the basic background. My dream had always been to someday meet them.

So I was able to get a ticket to the concert in Chicago (technically Libertyville). I begged Bob as I was desperate to go. Since I went to Night Ranger and claimed that was the exception, this one was more difficult to get him to agree to. Plus, I'd be going alone. My childhood best friend loves Great White as much as I do, but she now lives in MN and was unable to make it for the show. I still had birthday money left from last year so that's what I used.

The concert was last night and it was incredible! A total dream come true. I got to the venue about 5pm, even though the show didn't start until about 9pm (supposedly). I was the first one to stand in line. The employees were probably thinking I was crazy as they kept telling me it was going to be a long wait. That was fine with me as I stood for close to 12 hours when I saw Night Ranger. Plus, I have two boys--I'm used to being on my feet a lot. The manager/owner of the place even showed me the room and opened the door so I got to see (sort of) part of sound check. I wasn't allowed in, but I got to hang by the door and hear it. I also met quite a few people during my 3 hour wait. (by the way, it pays to go early!!). While waiting I met Dave, a roadie for the band. I met one of the band's bodyguards (don't know his name). I met Sean McNabb! (the bass player). The waiting line is right by the bathrooms so when he came out to use it, he saw me standing there. He is sooooo sweet!! He said hi and asked me what my name is, said his name (holy crap I didn't even recognize him at the time!!!) and had a very small talk moment. I also saw Mark and Jack come out for a brief moment. And I got to peak through the door to see the sound check.

Yes, I'm a groupie wanna-be.

By 8pm it started getting pretty crowded. I got over my shyness and introduced myself to the people around me. I hung out with two women who ended up leaving before GW even came on....one of them was drunk off her butt so I'm guessing they were booted out. I met a woman named Karen who grew up with the band. I also met a woman named Gail who also knows the band. She gave me some pointers on trying to get Michael to notice me. :) I don't think it worked though. LOL It was cool to hang out with other fans, and I even got to talk with the security guard. LOL

The doors finally opened at almost 9pm. The manager/owner was right there and as the doors opened people started pushing their way past. The manager actually stopped the people and said I was to go first! So nice to have perks!!

I made my way in and just about RAN to the front, and made my little spot right in front of where Michael stands. The opening band didn't start until almost 10pm. I wasn't too fond of the opener. They were a local heavy metal band....more into the music like Megadeath. Not my thing. The first few songs weren't bad, but once they got to a song called "F&*#ing Easy" they totally lost me. It's one thing to have a song about sex, or to have a few naughty words in it, but to that extreme loses my respect. Thankfully they weren't on the stage real long.

Great White didn't get on until 11pm. That is an hour past my bedtime already!!!

Anyway, they rocked! They started with Desert Moon, a crowd fav. They were in prime form. Jack looked AMAZING. Audie was incredible on the drums.....he rocks it so hard! Sean was wonderful, and Michael......*sigh* Gorgeous and sexy as always! He is even more amazing in person. They continued on with a few other good ones, and then they played one of my favs: House of Broken Love. Incredible. I can't talk enough about how talented these guys are. They did Save your Love....a beautiful song. In the middle of the show Mark (the lead guitarist) sang a song off his solo CD. Then something totally unexpected.....Sean sang a song!!! I never even knew he sang!! He was so good!! And even MORE unexpected was Michael SANG!!!!!! Holy CRAP!! I just about lost it!! I had this cheesy smile on my face. The scary thing- he sang Lovin' Kind. I have a thing with that song. It has to do with the book I'm writing. This song reminds me so much of the characters of Michael and Becky. I absolutely picture Michael (the character) writing this song after Becky breaks up with him (in a flashback). The song TOTALLY describes them....in EVERY sense. So it FREAKED ME OUT when Michael sang this song!!! Not just that, but I had no CLUE that he even sings other than background!! Which also was great for my book because in my book the lead singer drops out of the song and Michael takes over to sing it. (so he's then singing with Becky). OMG! I just about flipped. (not to mention the big smile on my face). The only issue with the whole thing was the audio. They had lots of audio problems....and though I KNOW Michael has a great voice and sang the song well, I actually could barely hear him. It was a bummer not being able to really hear him sing, but at that point it was just enough to be able to be there, close enough that I could touch him, watching my favorite band for 2 hours. I can deal with the audio problems. I'm a devoted fan that just wants to see them live.

And of course they song all their classics: Rock Me, Can't Shake it, Once Bitten Twice Shy. They did a Zepplin song, and one of their oldest songs, On your Knees.

A fight did break out during the show. Right next to me. Two girls were cat fighting and it got a bit nasty. I just leaned into the stage and figured I'd jump up onto the stage if I had to protect myself. Security came with in a minute and kicked them out. Security was VERY tight.

They played for about 2 hours. The BEST 2 hours ever! After the show I stuck around (even though it was 1am already). The band was doing a meet N greet afterward and I wanted to try to meet them. I couldn't pass up the opportunity....a chance to meet my favorite band?!

I ended up meeting Michael first *sigh*. Oh what an incredible man he is....so nice, so sexy *swoon* I got my picture taken with him (which I'm a bit upset the pic is a bit blurry) and mentioned I'm friends with Pattie and the Rangerettes. *Thanks Pattie!!* It was a quick conversation as he was bombarded with others.

I met Sean (again) next. I got a pic with him and he signed my shirt. One of the ladies that was standing next to me told him I was there earlier than everyone...the devoted fan! (groupie wanna-be....oh yeah....I bought a tank tee and Jack's solo CD "For You" Thanks to my birthday money!! which is now depleted LOL). Then I met Jack. He seemed rushed, but I did get a picture with him and he also signed my shirt. I met Mark also and he signed my shirt, but I didn't get a pic with him. I met Audie too....unfortunately I didn't get to talk to him like I wanted to (I wanted to tell him I'm friends with Karen Dare and she says hi) but security was rushing us out. Blah. So I got a pic with him and that's it.

Oh...and I got to meet Michael a second time.....when he was talking to the girl that they grew up with. She told him that I was their biggest fan LOL.

I ended up leaving about 1:45am. I sat in the car for about 10 minutes trying to warm up. I had left my coat in the car so I wouldn't have to take it in with me so I was freezing as it was -5!! It kept me awake at least! I got home about 2:30am.

What a night! My dream finally came true....I got to be in the front row, right in front of Michael, and I got to meet him! It only took 18 years!!! LOL

So now my rock n roll days are over. I can't afford any more concerts now, and I can't handle those late nights. How on earth does the band do it....especially this week with 3 nights in a row? (I only got about an hour of sleep...if that since I was still wired and excited when I got home, and about 4:30am Ryan was crying in pain, saying his head and feet hurt. So he ended up sleeping the rest of the night with us).

Thank you Great White...for an amazing night, for making a devoted fan's dream come true. Your Rock!!!

Michael on the left with Sean playing Desert Moon.

Jack singing (oh what a voice!!) and Mark in the background playing the guitar.

Michael during Save your Love. *sigh*

Michael and I (don't we make a cute couple? hehe) Sean and I. He is such a sweetheart....and good looking!

Jack and I. The California boy is all ready for the Chicago cold! LOL

Audie (the drummer) and I. He is also a huge sweetie!

5 in a row meme

Name one thing I do everyday:

Check my email.

Name two things you wish you could learn:

quilting
singing

Name three things that remind you of your childhood:

My Little Ponies
smell of homemade bread
popcorn with parmesean cheese on it (seriously, it's really good!)

Name four things that you love to eat but rarely do:

shrimp
lobster
steak
donuts
(yes I have expensive taste!)

Name five things that make you feel good:

making my children smile/laugh
a night out
studying God's Word
snuggling with hubby
family days

Go Pack Go!

We did it!!! The Pack won yesterday's playoff game!! Woo hoo! It was the best game I think I've ever seen......we were down the first quarter, tied it up by the end of the first quarter, and came back to beat the Seahawks 42-20!! We kicked some major Seattle butt!!!

It was the way a football game should be played. At Lambeau Field, in the middle of a snow storm!! woo hoo! It was snowing so hard you could barely see in front of you, and you couldn't see the lines on the field at all. There was slipping, slidding, and the Pack dominated! What a game!

Now we just hope the Giants win today and we will be on our way to the Super Bowl!

Go Pack Go!!!!

We're in trouble now!

Kyle took his first step on Friday by himself, but it was just once so I really didn't think much of it.

Well.......

Today Kyle started walking. on his own. 4 steps at a time before he crashes down. Without holding on.

Yep. I'm in trouble.

Ryan was a late walker. He didn't start walking until 14 months. I remember it was just before Christmas.
So 11.5 months is early for me!

I expected it though. Kyle is a go-go-go baby. He doesn't like to sit still at all and loves to stand and move around as much as possible. You can imagine what he's like during diaper changes!

Time to get my running shoes on. I'm in for a marathon!!