Wordless Wednesday

Merman

Melted Goodness

A few weeks ago my hubs and I celebrated our 8th year anniversary. When we were newlyweds, I was a little idealic in thinking maybe we could celebrate each year by going on a mini trip! And we did for the first couple years. We went to Door County one year, Traverse City another year. However, soon commitments at church, my hubs growing corn obsession, and finally having children, happened. It just wasn't a very realistic goal. Nevertheless, we have always gone out for at least a nice dinner. Sometimes it's a rush decision, as in we are in the car literally deciding at the last minute (hopefully we don't have to turn around too much to get to our final destination - did I ever mention we aren't the best of planners?)

Anyway, this year I thought would be much of the same. After just getting done with one vacation, and beginning to prepare for company on and off for two more weeks, I hadn't thought much of where I'd like to go for dinner. We pretty much got a babysitter a day before, and while I got my makeup on that night, I asked the hubs where he wanted to go. "Oh, I have it all planned out" he said (which is what he always says - his way of bluffing his way through it). We then got in the car and I said we should figure out where we were going before we headed out the driveway. He said, no he really had it figured out this time and he wasn't going to tell me where we were going! Now I love surprises, but to be honest, many of my hubs surprises are flops, so I wasn't sure if we were going to a Steak House or Ste*ak and Shake. Sorry honey.
I should have never doubted though, because he brought me to a restaurant I've been wanting to try for quite some time....The Melting Pot. It's a fondue restaurant. I haven't had too much experience with fondue, but we have cheese fondue about once a year with my family and it's always so much fun.

I just have to say, not only was this experience fun (even though there were no fondue stick wars), but it was just about the best meal I have ever had! We had a four course meal, beginning with cheese fondue and dippers (veggies, bread, and apples). Then we had a delicious salad. Followed, was the meat broth where we cooked a plethora of meats (shrimp, jerk pork, chicken, fillet mignon, and butternut squash ravioli), and wonderful sauces to dip them in. The meat practically melted in our mouths. I don't think I have ever had such tender meat. There was so much food too, that we had to take some home or we wouldn't have had room for dessert (which we had to save room for, because that was the best part!). For dessert, we had a banana's foster fondue - fresh bananas, with melted white chocolate, and caramel. Mmmmmm. My mouth is watering now just remembering it. And you wouldn't believe all the dippers they gave us to dip in that wonderful goodness. Although bite size, we had brownies, strawberries, pound cake, coconut crusted marshmellows, rice crispie treats, bananas, and even cheesecake! It was seriously giving me the shivers as I ate!

Okay, now that I have my own mouth watering (and probably your's too), I'll come down from my high. It was a wonderful meal and a wonderful year. As with many marriages, we have had our ups and downs. But this year has truly been a blessing. I am blessed to have him as my husband. He is both caring and hard working. And although this was one great meal we had together, his love for me is sweeter than any banana's foster I could ever eat. Thank you for 8 years of companionship honey!

Friday's Foto - Catch of the Day

Happy Father's Day

The day wouldn't be complete with out a child or two getting sick, would it? I'm beginning to think that Katie's internal sick clock flows with the holiday calendar. Thanksgiving, Christmas, her own birthday, Mother's Day, and yes now Father's Day, the child got sick and then kindly gave it to her sister.

It actually started Friday night. We had the whole family over and then out of now where, Katie began crying hysterically. I thought she bit her cheek or something, so we kept telling her to calm down and take a drink. Except the crying wouldn't stop. Ten minutes later, I finally set her in her room so she would calm down and not disturb everyone. When that didn't help, Grandpa jumped up and held her on the couch for a bit. She didn't move for an hour. I finally went to pick her up so Grandpa could go home, and she screamed hysterically again. She didn't want me to hold her, just her Grandpa (of course he ate that up, and decided to stay another 1/2 hour). Finally, I took her again only to realize she felt hot and had 102 degree fever. The lights finally came on!!

The next day, we had told Kyra we would go see fireworks at the local town's fair and maybe even go on some rides. Katie was feeling better and I thought we just might be up to par by evening time. Wrong. Katie may have been feeling better, but then just as rapidly as she got sick, Kyra did too. I have never seen such an instant fever. It was like one minute they were running around and the next they were crying. Kyra screamed when I tried taking her temperature. Of course, sure enough...she had a 102 degree fever. We had to break it to the kids that there would be no fair (although Kyra was feeling so crumby that she didn't care). We did make it to the fireworks (just watched them in the car), but Kyra barely picked up her head (sad to watch, because fireworks are one of her favorite things). So, we packed things up and headed home to put the chillins in bed. The hubs just about turned off Kyra's bedroom light when she threw up all over him. This of course just shortly before Father's Day. He certainly seems to be the target when it comes to the girls tossing their cookies. Poor guy.

Fortunately the story has a happy ending. On Father's Day, we stayed home from church and had our own church service. It was simply great. The girls were both feeling better, so we sat on our comfy couch in our comfy clothes and had our praise time. The hubs prayed, I read a children's devotion, and we all took turns requesting songs. It truly was a wonderful morning of praise. And I think the girls enjoyed being part of the service, although Kyra did mention that we were lacking the after the service cookies (leave it to her to think of the important parts!). Then the girls gave their daddy each a gift, and card they made. I think he was glowing. You can tell he really loves those girls.

So here's to my hubs!!

Honey-

Thank you for being a great father. Thank you for taking the girls on tractor, 4 wheeler, and bobcat rides. Thank you for being a great provider. Thank you for instilling in them a love for the great outdoors (they sure wouldn't get that from me!). Thank you for having the patience to garden with them. Thank you for all the pancake breakfasts you've made. Thank you for smiling at all their tired jokes. Thank you for playing with them when you are tired. Thank you for even being the target when they feel sick and not complaining about it. You do a lot for these girls and I don't always acknowledge or recognize all you do. But I know you love them dearly and can see it in your eyes. I love you and the father that you are.

Love, the Mother of your children

Our New Park

A couple weeks ago, we were sitting down for our usual Saturday morning breakfast (pancakes and sausage made by my hubs), when I asked him what he had planned for the day. Not many summer weekends go by where he doesn't have something planned so I needed his itinerary. Surprisingly he said nothing, and suggested maybe we go to Me*nards to buy 2x4's for a sand pit. I thought it was a great idea. I was thrilled that he suggested it, because lately the girls had been getting pretty bored after say about 15 minutes on their bikes. And although we have many great parks within the vicinity, something else to play in at home would be great. I really wanted a swing set, but we kind of overdid it when we bought all of our living room furniture a couple months back. So off to the store we went!

Of course when we got there, they were having a 12 months interest free sale (they always get ya don't they). So we decided to "just look" at the swing set material. The hubs decided we could probably afford to make a simple A frame swing set. We had some old boards he could use up and would probably just need a couple swings. Of course then I said, well they really use a slide more than a swing, so maybe we should do that instead. One thing led to another and before you know it, we had material for a whole swing set!! I thought at that point we should just buy a kit, thinking that might save time, but the hubs was determined to engineer it all on his own. He already had an idea in his head. There was no stoppin him now! I decided to stay out of his way and let him build, because after all I was getting my swing set.

Needless to say, our simple sand box project had turned into something bigger. But my wonderful man plugged away at it, and finished that baby in 4 days! He even said next year he might add a roof and a few other things. But for now, it suits our needs and the kids LOVE it. I'm sure we'll have some good times this summer having picnics on the deck, races down the slide, and lots of laughs.

This is all it was supposed to be!

The hubs hard at work (and still smiling!)

Who needs a swingset? We should have just invested in a slide and put it on a hill! They seriously had loads of fun, just sliding down the slide on the ground for like an hour.

The final product! Our park (as Kyra calls it)

Stanley's Back!

Okay, I'll be the first to tell you that I am not a big sports fan. I don't play any sports (unless you consider walking on a bike path a sport), and I don't really like watching sports. About the most I watch is the annual Superbowl, where really I do more eating and talking then I do watching the actual game. It's sad I know, because I could probably benefit a lot from actually playing a sport, but the interest is simply not there.

So, a couple of nights ago when I turned on the boo*b tube and found a hockey game on, I was just about to turn it right back off when the hubs said, "STOP!" "What do you mean, stop? It's just a hockey game." "It's not just any game, it's the series. And Detroit is up 3 to 1. If they win tonight, they win the championship!" he said. I gave him a look that said, you think I give a rip, and began to head out of the room. "Just stay for a minute and watch with me," he beckoned. And because I am always at my husband's beckoned call, I stayed (okay maybe he didn't beckon).

Needless to say, it was exciting! I couldn't believe the energy these guys had. I was hooked. My hubby gave me a few pointers and explained some of the rules, and soon I was glued to the TV. The power plays, the body checks, the penalty box...this game was exciting to watch! With in a few minutes I was hollering at the TV like a pro. I even stayed up till 12:30 a.m. to see them go into over time. Of course they lost that game, but they hung in there.

Then last night, they WON! This older team of men has won 4 championship series in the past 11 years. And they were on fire. I wish I could have enough energy in one day as they did in one play. It was really something to watch. So, congrats Red Wings! Maybe, just maybe next year I will actually watch more of your games. Or even go to a local Griffins hockey game!

"Sending Out An S.O.S."

It was kind of an odd Mother's Day. I spent the last few days in Chicago. You could say the trip away was a little gift from my hubby. I was able to spend the day before Mother's Day with my Mom, and then planned to come home on Sunday so I could spend the special day with my hubby. You see, one of his gifts to me, were tickets to "The Police" concert. I was just a little excited, seeing as how "Sting" is one of my favorite singers. I know, I'm a lucky girl.

Anyway, the night before I left, Katie began to fuss and cough in her sleep. I woke up on Mother's Day only to find out she had a fever and seemed only to get worse. I quickly got in the van, and hoped for the best as I took the 3 1/2 hour trek home to Michigan. Fortunately she slept most of the way (something I was very thankful for, seeing as how she's not the best traveler and I was the lone caregiver in the car). I played out the rest of the day in my head. I would get home, eat lunch, unpack, shower, and prepare for the concert. Wouldn't it be nice if the scenes in our head matched reality? Riiigght. It went a little more like this:

1:00 PM Got home, hubby had made lunch, grocery shopped, and planted all my flower beds while I was gone as another Mother's Day gift (yeahh....he is good!).
1:20 PM Put a very cranky Katie on the couch to watch Baby Ein*stein, took her temperature, while she screamed her way through that- 103.3
1:30 PM Scarfed down lunch, while intermittenly going back and forth to bring drinks, binkies, blankies, etc. to a wimpery little girl.
2:00 PM Consulted the pediatrician as to what I should do, since she seemed short of breath. He said we should take her to a pediatric clinic that didn't open till 5pm (2 hours before our concert).
2:10 PM Contemplated what I should do, since our babysitter was both pregnant, and has a 17 month old. Figured we should give the kids to Grandma and Grandpa instead.
3:00 PM Took a shower, got ready, unpacked a little, sat a little in our new chairs that arrived while I was gone, packed kids pjs and snacks to go to G&G's.
4:30 PM Went to clinic, registered, and Katie vomits all over Dad (who by the way was dressed for the concert).
5:40 PM Doctor diagnosed her with Bronchitis and said she would be no longer contagious after Tuesday!
6:00 PM Made some phone calls to quick decide what to do (G&G don't need bronchitis). My hubs decides he'll stay home. I have to decide who to bring with me to the concert in the next 15 minutes. Two friends are 9 months pregnant, one works on the weekends, one lives 40 minutes away....there was only one friend left to ask (sorry Christy, almost called you). Fortunately, my brother in-law pulled through and said he'd be willing to deal with possible tossing of cookies, wheezing, and crankiness.
6:40 PM Went to 3 pharmacies to get antibiotics, they were all closed. We'll have to get it in the morning. Shot to fast food restaurant for Kyra, and headed out the door.
7:29 PM Arrived at the concert, with one minute to spare!!!!

How appropriate that the first song Sting sang was "Message in a Bottle" a.k.a - "SOS". I felt like I was the one in need of the S.O.S. But we made it. The concert was fabulous. I felt a little young in the crowd, after all I was really going to see Sting, not the whole band, but it was still fabulous. I felt quite guilty leaving our sick little one at home too, but what are you going to do? Sting/Katie/Sting/Katie. I think she forgave me today. And I had my day with her today filled with snuggles and hugs...a true mother's delight. Yes it was a memorable day.

Daddy Brownie Points

The other day Kyra asked me if I would paint her finger nails. Seeing as how we were on our way to the grocery store, I told her it would have to wait (and quickly dismissed the thought from my head). She proceeded to be a very obedient girl that afternoon, replying politely to my every request. I later complimented her on her manners, with which she replied "that's because I REALLY want you to paint my nails!" How could I say no to that? Of course lunch and naps had to occur, so I promised her that I would paint them after dinner when we had nothing going on. She was tickled pink (don't you just love how easily pleased they can be?).

Needless to say, we had lunch, took naps, and wouldn't you know I developed a rather bad headache during that time. I frequently get migraines, but this one didn't feel quite that bad, so I dismissed it with hopes that it would go away quickly. I started preparing dinner, when the pulsing kept getting worse and worse. Soon enough my ears started ringing. Yep, it was a migraine (and of course too late to take meds that would take effect in a short period of time). I went to take a rest, when a bounding Kyra met my eyes and gleefully said, "it's nail painting time!" Oh, how on the world was I going to muster through this one? I can hardly open my eyes, let alone focus on those little nails. I was just about to tell her that mommy would have to break her promise, when Kyra took one look at me and before I could even say anything, said "maybe Dad can do it!" Ahh, Dad. I don't know if you really want that. Yet, she marched right into the living room with her paint of choice and asked Daddy to paint her nails. And he said YES!

I kind of winced at the thought of him painting her nails, seeing as how he has never even cut their nails, but I was too dizzy to even argue. I took my rest, and after a couple hours felt some much needed relief. I quickly remembered that Daddy had come to the rescue and went to see his handy work. And wouldn't you know it, he did a pretty good job. Not only did he do a pretty good job, he painted Katie's nails! You know, that wiggly, can't sit still for more than 3 seconds girl! Even I haven't ever attempted to paint her nails. What a dad, I tell you. What a dad!

My Valentine

Back in my high school and college days, Valentine's Day was a holiday that I would just assume miss. Having never had a boyfriend, I didn't want the reminder pushed in my face of seeing girls getting a dozen roses, romantic cards being exchanged, or warm embraces seen from afar. Yes, I can look at people now in the same boat and Awwww at the sight of their joy, but then I was just a wee bit jealous. I had my very loving family, who always gave me candied hearts, and trinkets of love, but it wasn't the same. I longed for that person to truly love me for who I was and pour out their love for me in gifts, hugs, and kisses!!

I finally got my wish 9 years ago to the day. I had been dating for only weeks a young man that I had met through friends at a line dancing bar. We had a slow going start, but once we got started, love seemed to be soaring with flying colors. Unfortunately, after only a few weeks of pure joy, I was scheduled to leave for a semester away in New Mexico. My new romance was to either end, or begin as a long distance relationship. We decided to give it a go for the long distance part (even though we had only dated for a few weeks). I had been gone for only 2 weeks and my first Valentine's Day with a boyfriend was going to be spent apart. So much for the romantic dinner and hours of cuddling, I was going to spend it in a small room away from friends and family.

But to my surprise, I came home from dinner that Feb. 14th and found the most beautiful red dozen roses that I had ever seen! I had only known that man for a few short weeks, and yet he had a compassion for me that I had not even realized. It didn't matter that I was alone that night anymore. My thoughts were filled of him and my growing love for him.

A little over a year later, I married that man. He is my husband. He is a tender hearted, hard working, compassionate, dependable, at times stubborn, but loving man. He doesn't give me flowers very frequently anymore (which is fine), but he has never forgotten a Valentine's Day yet. His little gift of red roses is a reminder that he is still very much in love with me and that love will continue to grow. And I love him very much too.

Weekend Getaway

My husband turned 30 on Friday, so I had been trying to figure the PERFECT birthday gift. I didn't want to do a surprise party, since we have gone to so many of those lately (I figured it would hardly be a surprise). I contemplated going on a date to a play or something (but that ain't really his thang). Then I thought of the perfect idea....a surprise getaway! It would be perfect. My sister in-law was willing to watch the kids, the hubs had been working hard on the barns and needed a getaway, and he has always wanted me to play golf with him. So there you have it. I was going to have the car all packed before he came home from work, borrow some clubs from a friend, and when he came home, I would say we are going on a date- only to take him away for the weekend! Foolproof!

Okay, it didn't exactly work out that way. First he found out from someone that we were going away for the weekend, then he saw my attempt to hide the clubs in the car. The only thing he didn't know is where we were going, which after an hour in the car, he pretty much figured out anyway. I was bummed. My whole plan had failed. I moped in the car as I thought of my weeks of planning being botched. But then I realized, the end result would be the same. It wasn't the surprise that he would remember in the long run, but the trip itself.

And boy did we have fun. We went to Traverse City, Michigan to take in a golf course (I have never been, another first for me). But we did so much more than that. We enjoyed the oh, so beautiful colors of the trees. The colors were so vibrant! We went to several wineries along the Leelanau Penisula (and might I suggest that even though the samples are small, probably 15 samples are about 10 too many!). We ate at some wonderful restaurants. And finally, we played golf, which unfortunately I did not do too well at (and I can't blame the alcohol either, because this was the following day). Yes, my hopes of being a first time pro, did not come true. I scored a 96 in a 9 hole game (and of course that isn't including all the times I completely missed the ball!) But we had for some good laughs, and my husband (thankfully patient) had fun too. Yes, we will definitely have to do the getaway more often. Some one on one time with your hubby is definitely priceless.

Mrs. Helpful recap

Just to let you know...when my husband got home, he just laughed at the ordeal. Thankfully he knows I am pretty ignorant when it comes to having to do anything mechanical or outdoorsy, so he was able to see that it was the thought that counted.

Of course he did say that if I ever wanted to try again...all I had to do was sit on the fender while mowing the steep edge and that if it did get stuck again all I had to do was pull the hydrolic thing a magig and my problems would be solved. (riight, I think I'll just let him handle it).

Mrs. Helpful

A friend and I have been swapping babysitting for the last couple of weeks, so we are each able to have a few hours a week to get some cleaning/errands/alone time. It has been really nice to have a few hours to get something done without the kids, but I have found that you need to be really diligent with the time, or else those 3 hours will go by very quickly and nothing will get accomplished (aka: interuptions with phone calls, quick glance at the blog, etc..).

Anyway, today was my time to get something done, so I planned out what I was going to do with my time before 9am this morning. And seeing as how cleaning my house wasn't much of interest (even though it probably could have used it), I decided to mow the lawn. Now, normally this is my husband's job, but he has been so busy lately I decided I would surprise him to help him out!

Needless to say, it didn't go very well. I have mowed the lawn, oh...probably 4 times in my lifetime (pathetic, I know, but true). I knew in the past how to start the rider mower, but it's been awhile. Anywho, I couldn't get it started. I decided to let the surprise go and call my husband to see how to start it. He explained how I couldn't start it with the mower deck on (duh), and that I needed to fill the tank, and blow up the rear tire with the air compressor since it periodically goes flat. Whew! This was turning out to be more of a project then I intended. Nevertheless, I got it started and was on my way. Typically it takes 3 hours (for my husband) to mow the lawn, since we have a rather large yard, so I knew I wouldn't get it done in my now being only 1 1/2 hours left, but I thought better some than none. I was having fun, getting the hang of the bouncy mower while balancing my coffee, when the hardest part of the lawn approached. We have a fairly steep decline by our driveway, but my husband always seems to manage it, so I attempted a try. Yeah, that was a bad decision. The wheels started spinning, and I began to feel the mower tip to the right. The thought of rolling over down a hill on a lawnmower was a tidbit scary, so I quickly shut off the ignition and got off. I tried pushing the mower down the hill while in neutral, but that didn't work. Needless to say, that mower wasn't going anywhere and I was stuck.

So, I guess my thoughts of being helpful to my husband were not so helpful. Now, he has to get the mower unstuck and mow the rest of the lawn! I've gotten stuck on the driveway in the snow before, but never in the summer time! Oh well, hopefully he sees it's the thought that counts. Love you honey!

What a Guy!

After going back to sleep this morning, I awoke very groggily to my lalatting 16 mo old. We headed to the table for breakfast, where I found a sticky note pasted to my daughter's booster chair. It read the following: "Good morning family! I have a quest for you. On the computer you will find a clue." Oh, how exciting, a morning excursion. I headed for the computer, found nothing (looked for a message on email, a picture, word document, nothing!) Fortunately I began to wake up a bit, and found the next clue had slid underneath the keyboard. My daughter then wandered in and said, "I want dessert!" No good morning, just I want dessert. I told her dessert had to wait, daddy had a hunt for us to go on first. She got excited when I showed her the sticky notes and off we went to the next clue. We visited daddy's closet, the window sill, and finally the basement. There at the kiddy table (where my kids love to eat lunch), were 3 plates of chocolate zuchinni cake that daddy had made from scratch. I guess Kyra was going to get her dessert after all. My husband, who is not much of a writer, had rhymed each clue and everything. It was a fun little pick me up from the previous night and something I will always cherish. Way to go Hon! Bonus points for the hubby.