The Wrong Way

Today marked my long run day. I woke up with the alarm at 5am, wind howling, and turned off the alarm. "Sounds cold and windy," I said to myself and went back to sleep.

As the morning went on, it looked so nice and sunny. I went outside for a second and BRRR! Seriously, I am running on the treadmill.

Then, my sister came over. Humm...I have a crazy idea.

First, let me recap a bit.

A couple of weeks ago, I was ready to run nearly 13 miles (12.9 to be exact. But, who's counting). I planned on running it after putting the kids to bed one Friday night. Well, Friday is pizza night at the Austin house, and we got good pizza on this Friday. Knowing I was going to be running, I did not want to eat it. But, come on, this is good New York Pizza. So, I had one, then 2 and finally a 3rd piece (it was sooo good!). Had our Friday night kids' flick, put the kids to bed, then slipped on my runner's hat for a nice little jog.

Ran the 12.9 miles smoothly. Then, I stopped. I was cold and sick. Very sick. But, I had to go to the grocery store. So, I pulled it together and ran out to get the essentials including cocoa puffs (the breakfast that we have when Daddy is home only). As I was leaving the store, I knew I was sick. But, waited until I drove into the neighborhood. Um, it was not pretty. I drug myself into the house where Chris was less than sympathetic since he thinks anyone who purposely runs 12.9 miles must be insane (and he did not want to put away the groceries).

So, today during the kids' quiet time, I decided to skip the pizza and try again for the 13 (last week I ran more like 10 miles). Maybe I should run to my sisters??! I started my run and BRRR! Seriously, can it get any windier? As I ran down 156th street (where there are not any sidewalks) I began to see what Chris saw in me...insanity. But, then I turned onto State street, where there are still no sidewalks, but I felt at ease. Growing up on a farm, this was like the cross country running I was used to. I liked it. Peaceful, really. I ran all the way to my sister's house in a neighborhood near I680 and 72nd Street. I smiled when I finally reached her house, amazed that I made it in one piece.

I had her measure the distance with her car on the way home (yes, I had her DRIVE me home). 10.9 miles!! Seriously! I ran all that way and still came up short. Oh come on!! Wind, no sidewalks, and only 10.9 miles!! I was more than annoyed.

I guess there is always next week. But, I will never run to my sister's house again.

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Mommy's Hunt

Today the hunt began. No, I am not on a bear hunt! I am on a hunt for a Mommy's helper of sorts, someone to watch the kiddos so I can go to the OBGYN alone, for example. My parents are more than helpful when I ask, but to have them drive an hour to and from our home so that I can go to a 1 hour appointment seems ridiculous. For 4 weeks in a row, my parents are watching the kids from a few hours to the entire day so I can go to continuing ed classes (in a blizzard, mind you), doctor appointments, jury duty, and 2 days of training at UNMC. In an effort to find someone to watch the kiddos, I posted an ad for a babysitter. Oh goodness...college students expect to get paid more than I do as a nurse to watch 3 kiddos for 2 hours!! And, on top of it, can I pay them $10 for travel and gas money? Seriously, it not my fault you do not live near our home. And, no! I think I will update my ad to state realistic pay requirements. If these students think their employer is going to pay them gas money to drive to work they have another thing coming! I am willing to pay well, however, for the right candidate. But, as we all know, I have given up some of my organs already this month for plumbing.

So, the hunt is on...

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Boppa Bob Retires...

Bob Retires...

At least is he going to the end of this month. Grandpa Bob was honored at a retirement party yesterday. He has worked for HDR for almost his entire career. Now, that is commitment! The kids were excited to have a piece of Grandpa's cake with golfer grandpa on it. Congratulations Boppa! Happy Retirement!

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The Verdict

We are staying. Chris built a nice FOR SALE BY OWNER webpage, I cleaned up and cleared out the house, had 3 real estate agents come and check out our pad, we had one showing, but we have decided to stay...for now. We looked at building a new home in the areas we found we liked near Chris' work. However, in order to get all the features we wanted plus finish off the basement, we were talking more than we wanted to spend. So, for now, we will stay in our nice and clean home. Future plans: Putting on a nice deck with built in privacy, upgrading the kitchen a little, and perhaps some window upgrades. Chris and I are really upset that we can not get our dream house now. However, even when I am back at work full time, we will never live on my paycheck. We will always use my paycheck for college savings, retirement, etc. We do not want to get into a nice new house where we are forced to either need me to return to work and/or need my paycheck once I do return to work.

So, it is settled. Nearly 3 months of stress behind us. Boy, I can hardly wait until we do it again! So, tomorrow I will return those FOR SALE BY OWNER signs and get my kidney back!

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Happy Valentine's Day 2009!

Valentine's 2009

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I looked back on 2008's Valentine's Day...and the kids were so much smaller! So sad our time passes.

This year the kiddos & Daddy awoke with treats on their chairs from Cupid, who else! Alivia got the game Connect 4, Addison got the Ladybug Game, and Asher got a new phone. Cupid sure was good to them this year. Chris & I exchanged our addictions (M&Ms!) and Chris got flashden (how exciting!!). Addison gave me a special treats, too, when she stayed dry all night...getting up to go potty (#1 and #2) during the night! Yeah!! That is the best Valentine's Day ever - no laundry! So, Addison & I went to the store to have her pick out a special gift for staying dry all night (and going woo woo in the potty). She picked out yet another binky baby. It was fun to go out with just one child and have alone time, and I think I will try and do that more often. She acted so different out alone.
The kiddos had a busy day of heart shaped sandwiches and treats and playing in the snow outside. They had a fun playing with their new toys, too.
Chris and I had our "date night" of a movie & pizza after the kiddos went to bed last night. So, tonight will be a quiet night with another movie by the fire - which is the best kind of night in our noisy house! Chris & my personalities really came out in our cards this year:
My card to Topher:

"I'm Bless to have you for a Husband

Even when it seems like the days just get more hectic and there's always some new worry or stress...
...being with you is the touchstone that helps me stay centered and focused on what's happy and right with my life.
I love you so much.
Happy Valentine's Day!"

I thought..."Perfect, I could not have said it better myself!"

Chris' card to me:

"Having you in my life means I'll always have a shoulder to lean on, a hug to comfort me, a hand to hold...
...and a nice butt to Look at!
Happy Valentine's Day!"

Oh, enough said.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's Day 2009

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Working 6-6

Addison's laundry in 24 hours!

I know, the song goes, "Working 9-5," but Topher has taken it up a notch (or his job has). He leaves our house before 5:30 and arrives home around 6 or later, and that is on a good day. His job has given him a task to complete in 4 months that typically takes 12-14 months to do. He arrives home not surprisingly, crabby, hungry, and tired. At least this time, he is getting paid for his overtime. Not that makes us miss him less.

Meanwhile, I am doing my best to hold down the fort at home. While Daddy typically does preschool pick up for Alivia, I am now rushing home to put Addi and Asher to bed for just over an hour, waking them up, and rushing them to get Alivia. Asher DOES NOT like to be woke up. Our "bad" time of day is between 4-6, when the kiddos are tired, hungry and impatient. I am trying to get dinner ready with usually 1-2 kids crying and hanging on my legs as I do so. After a day of doing all of Addison's laundry from the night before - potty training at night has not bee too successful, (as well as her multiple clothing changes during the day. Yes, Addison now decides 10 minutes into an outfit, that she does not like it and goes upstairs, picks out a new outfit, and gets dressed. Sometimes the outfit is still clean, but she puts it into the hamper with her not so clean clothes anyway. At least she puts them away, I guess), chasing Asher up and down the stairs (yes, he does both now), and helping Alivia decide which hand she is going to write with (she is using both her left and right hands to write, cut, etc, and does equally good writing with both) all the while with a bad back...I am a wreck. Oh, and throw in house cleaning, house hunting and the stress of a possible move, too. By the time Chris gets home, I just want to go in a room, shut the door and have a moment of silence. But, I don't, obviously. Because, as I mentioned, Chris is tired too from a long day of working for us...so I hold out until 8pm to fall into my heap.

Typically, I try and get a good run in every night after the kids go to bed which helps me to clear my head. However, I am struggling with my runs because it hurts my back to sit, move, or anything. I think carrying Asher and Addison around has done a number on it. Or, maybe I am just getting old...

So, I think Mommy should get paid overtime for Daddy's overtime. I am really looking forward to the day I can get out of the house alone, other than at 10pm to go to Walmart to grocery shop or run in the dark where I am so scared to death that I run 5 minute miles (LOL - but really, it is not funny). I do get to get away, weather permitting, to a CEU conference tomorrow for the day while the kiddos stay home with my parents (And of course, it is supposed to snow. So, they may be going with me to my conference). I do have jury duty to look forward to - oh joy. But, if it lasts more than one day...I am bringing the kids with me. The lady said that being a mother does not excuse me from serving as a juror. Fine, how about bringing my kids with me since I have nobody who watch them for who knows how long? We will see what they say...I think, maybe, they will excuse me when they see my monster stroller and Alivia pushing it.

Time to go and fold laundry before the kiddos get up from nap...oh, Mommy's tired...

 

* Maybe I should have titled this "Bad Mood" or "My Little Pity Party." :)

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Scared Homeless

House in La Vista

We have all heard the saying, scared !!!!less, right? Well, today after driving around looking at potential homes, most from the outside, with the kids in tow, we think we are scared homeless. What if we sell our beautiful home that we made our own and can not find another home to fit our long list of requirements? Then what?

Let me explain. Our requirements for our next home: 2007 or newer, 4 bedroom with office or 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 3 to 4 car garage (many newer homes are 3 car tandem), & a  finished basement preferably walkout - oh, and in our price range. Um, we are just not finding anything with most of these requirements, let alone some. We left after Mass at 10 and went out to find our dream home. We looked in La Vista (at the area where the home in the fall was), then Papillion and a little in Bellevue really near where Chris works. We found some really neat areas with great views that we did not even know existed! We found new construction with the same finished square feet as we have now, without the finished basement. We just finished our basement and know how that goes. We do not want to get into that again! Besides, where would we put all of our furniture and toys that are currently in the basement? We looked at one that was just like the one we fell in love with in the fall today. However, the back yard was flat and backed to trees. The downfalls...the basement was not finished, the bath faucets were so ugly and cheap, no appliances, no electric garage door openers, and it is being marketed for $35,000 more than the dream house ended up selling for! Um, Chris quickly crossed it off our list of potentials since it was so overpriced and not even close to meeting our requirements. I went to an open house after putting the kids to bed that made me look forward to coming home. It was built in 2006 and was trashed! At these price points, I am expecting a home a lot nicer than ours, not a fixer upper. At the open house I went to alone, I heard all the other people saying how nice it was...seriously!?! I was thinking, "Yuck! Get me out of here!"

So, our FOR SALE BY OWNER sign will remain in the garage...for now. I think staying sounds way easier, less stressful, and easier on the eyes, too. But...we will see. We are quite wishy washy about all of this moving stuff. If we find our dream home...we are outta here! If not, I see a big deck with a big privacy fence in our future!

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Today

7:30: Wake up! Wow! I slept in & so did the kids. Alivia slept until 7:30 - craziness!
7:40: Get all kids dressed, cleaned up for the day. Addi had an accident, so get a load of sheets/pad/pjs in the wash machine. Fun.
8 am: Breakfast
8:05 - Mommy calls plumbers. Learn plumbers get paid to drive to my house. More craziness! Select plumber for one kidney an hour.Check cell minutes online. Over by 50! Lovely. Guess too many phone calls for this house stuff. Have 8 days of no adult interaction. Fun.
8:30: My clean up time.
9 Get Kids ready for trip to bank and drop off car for oil change
9:30 Out the door for errands, bank, drop off car. Walk from oil change to home with the kids. Learn Maple Street is too busy to cross with stroller and Alivia, but what is my alternative.
10:30 Play outside until lunch. It is a beautiful day! Love the 50's. Asher loves the swing - laughs out loud! He is so cute (well, I'm biased & all).
11: 45 Lunch. Asher is mad because I have to cook lunch. Love it when he cries as I prepare meals. Quiet him with some cooked carrots. Mmmm!
12:30 Naptime. Kids go right to sleep. I get to cleaning up our bedroom, then dining room. More laundry.
1:15 Plumber arrives and wakes up Asher and Alivia. Naptime over? Alivia goes downstairs and falls asleep on the couch as plumber gets to work.
1:45: Naptime over for Asher it appears. Plumber is done, only lost one kidney. He removed the broken piece inside the pipe. Can not put on the new parts I bought because they are plastic. So, I have to return them. Great. Alivia and Addison sleep. Mommy and Asher rock awhile, but Asher just wants down to play. No nap for him. Great.
3: Everyone awake. Addison had a #2 accident. Lovely. Another load of sheets/clothes in to wash machine. I love laundry. I love potty training. (little sarcasm).
3:15 Time for snack. Then, load the kiddos up in the stroller and Alivia walks as we head out to pick up the car.
3:30: Car done. Meineke tries to rip me off. Thinks Mommy of 3 is stupid. Will not return. Will go back to Jenson (where they rip me off too). Then off to Lowes to return plastic shower head/arm thingy.
3:40 Return made. Off to Menards as Plumber thought they had the biggest selection of brass stuff. I would get brushed silver, but the shower on/off thingy is brass, the shower is trimmed in brass, and the sink faucets are brass. Stuck with it for now, unfortunately.
4 Menards in Elkhorn does not have any brass. Annoyed. Load up the kids again and head back to Omaha to go to Home Depot. Seriously. Asher cries all the way from Menards to Home Depot.
4:30 Home depot has the brass shower head, not the brass shower arm, so I have to get silver. Annoyed. I will make it work at home. I have ideas ( I can use the brass hole cover, silver arm, brass shower head...it will blend...whatever). Pick up for sale by owner signs while I am out. Lost second kidney. Awesome!
5:15 Arrive home. As I am unloading the car, Chris gets home after his 11 hour day & is crabby. Girls run to the backyard to play while Asher and I go to fix up the shower.
5:30: Shower complete and working. Yeah! Now, let's see if I have time to do some caulking tonight in the shower. That sounds fun.
5:45 Girls inside standing in kitchen with Daddy asking what's for dinner. Um, I have been so concerned about the shower, I have not thought about dinner. Great. Turkey wraps it is. Nobody complains (highly unusual).
6:15 Clean up dinner. Head upstairs for bathtime. Addison screams through the bath. I think I am going to go deaf. Seriously!
6:45 Alivia goes downstairs with Daddy while Addi, Asher & I stay upstairs. Asher plays with toys, Addison watches Elmo, while Mommy scrapes out old caulking in shower to apply new. Fun.
7:45 Book time and bedtime. Kiddos right to sleep again. How nice.
8 My back is semi better. Go out for a short 4 mile run. Wanted to go farther, but did not wanna risk it.
8:30 Downstairs to do bills, talk to my mom, fold some of my many loads of laundry (2 loads for Addisons sheets, each kids' laundry, and a load of towels). Chris' turn for a jog.
9 Upstairs to recaulk shower. Clear out Chris' tools, etc. Looks better.
10 Downstairs to get bag packed for visit to Grandmas tomorrow, read email, look at a few houses, hummm...maybe I will blog my day.

I never want to hear that SAHM's do not do anything. Okay?

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January In Review

Finally...getting around to closing January and turning the calendar to February.

January was a crazy, cold month! We had lots of activities planned to keep us busy. We visited the zoo and children's museum as usual, and then new places like Mahoney and a new swim class, and revisited Boingz. We tried unsuccessfully to get to see all of the Great Grandparents and Grandparents...but will try again in February. Addison turned 2 1/2 and I swear has grown in height and maturity. She is quite independent for her young age. Asher just turned 14 months and is soo heavy! His favorite thing to do is play with Tinker toys, walk everywhere (yes, he is now fully walking) and eat. Alivia likes to write her first and last name and watch Scooby do.  Chris and I also cleaned up our house, organizing all of the closets, touching up paint, and building a website with the possibility of putting our home up for sale. Yikes! We will see what February will bring with that. Until then...keep in touch!
 
January Pictures

To Stink or Not...

This morning, I forced my tired body out of bed to go downstairs and run on the treadmill. I am not a morning person at all. It takes me a while to wake up, so getting up and going downstairs generally is not enough to get my body moving. But anyway, I did my run. I finished and went upstairs to find Alivia and Addison already awake and playing (at 6:45!). So I got them dressed, gave them breakfast, then Asher woke up, got him dressed (in a 3 piece suit and tie) and fed. Then, it was time to take a quick Valentine photo for the kids' Valentine cards.  Finally, it was my turn to take a shower and get dressed! So, I took the kids upstairs, got Asher occupied with his favorite Tinker Toys, Addison watching Elmo Potty, & Alivia was playing with both of them, and jumped in the shower for a few moments. I got all soaped up, shampoo in hair, and reached up to turn the shower head a different direction. What was I thinking? The whole shower head came off in my hand! Um, what is this? Seriously, as I stood there all soapy and needing to get to a new stream of warm water, all 3 kiddos sitting outside of the shower now staring at me, I decided I think I am ready for an apartment again! Seriously! I just wanted to take a shower!

The kids and I did go to Lowes and purchase the parts in order for me to attempt to fix it. However, I was unsuccessful. It will be waiting, all layed out on the counter in the master bathroom, for Chris when he arrives home for 12-13 hours at work and then our 3rd meeting with a real estate agent. Oh, he will be so excited!

As I have said to Topher before, somedays I would rather just stink.

 

What is this?

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Victory for Addison

At the age of 2 1/2, Addison is now inching closer to being fully potty trained!

Asher is now fully walking, giving me more time to get other things done. You know, like the laundry I may need to do if I pulled off Addison's diaper at night and during naps. So, I finally did it Sunday. After she was been telling me every morning and after naps, "Mommy, my diaper is wet" or she actually was taking it off, using a baby wipe, and then putting on panties, I decided she was beyond ready. However, she had yet to go #2 in the potty, saving this duty for diaper time. Anyway, I sat her down on Sunday before quiet time and just told her she was getting too big for diapers. I put a big pat on the floor and her little potty on top telling her to go in the potty if she needed to during quiet time. And, to my surprise, she did! Sunday night was a bad night. She changed her pj's, mostly by herself, 3 or 4 times.

Monday's nap she stayed dry. It is just a matter of her remembering she does not have a diaper. In the past, I would ask before naptime if she needed to go potty and she would tell me, "I'll just pee pee in diaper." Oh, come on!

Then came last night. As I did with Alivia, I woke her up at 10 PM to have her go potty (& this is after cutting off fluids after dinner, just until she figures things out). I took her to the big potty where...Victory, finally...the long awaited woo-woo, #2, or whatever you want to call it! We were so excited!

So, Addison's first victory. So, as we get closer to my day of doing fewer loads of laundry, we are now officially down to one in diapers! Yeah!! And, with Asher, I will potty train everything at once!

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Saying Good bye with a Laugh

This is so funny, whether you liked the MAN or not...

 

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Losing my mind?

On Monday of last week, Alivia jumped into the van after preschool, excited to open a card from one of her classmates. It was an invitation to a birthday party of a little girl in her class to be at BOINGZ. She was so excited! I quickly glanced at the invitation when we got home and so did Chris. The invitation, we thought, said for Jan. 31. I knew that was Saturday and tucked that in the back of mind as our busy week of real estate agent visits progressed. For anyone that has gone through this home selling process knows, the agent comes and checks out your home. Then they come back on another day for 1 1/2-2 hours to give their presentation ending with their market analysis and what they would list your home at. All week I was busying myself cleaning and trying to keep things clean. The birthday party was being talked about a lot, and I kept telling Alivia - "It's Saturday" never taking another look at the invitation that I tucked away. Saturday came, and so did two more agents. We had the birthday gift ready to go as we raced out the door to get to the party. We arrived and another little girl was there with her Daddy. However, the party was FRIDAY!! Alivia burst into tears. What? Friday? I know ours said Saturday, or did it? I paid the $7.50 as Alivia jumped with the few kids that were there. She was starving, however, as I did not know if she would have a pizza party at the party or what. (the party was from 6-8pm). So, after 45 minutes of play, we came home for dinner.

As all of our activities come together, I am definitely losing my mind (or am going to soon).

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Employed Again

Like I do not have anything else to do...I have taken the employment plunge again. I really do not know what I was thinking, however. After I applied and thought I did not get this position, although disappointed, I felt a sense of relief. Then, they called and offered me the position. What for? A nurse for 8 hours every other week from 11p-7a. So, the kids would be asleep, and all I would miss is my sleep (and a big chunk of sanity). As a nurse, I need to work in order to keep up my license. Not a lot, just some. I have not worked as a nurse since leaving Children's in 2006. After accepting the position, I am thinking perhaps I should have waited until Alivia started school to take on such a big task (especially with running a 1/2 marathon, moving, etc). Chris and I have our plates so full now that I think we are getting overwhelmed (I am just speaking for myself now). But, as I tend to do, I will take on this new job and see if I can swing it. Chris, once again, is saying, "Please, do not take a job!" And, I know, he is typically right about these things.
Officially, I am to start in March. I have 2 days of training during the day and then I start my once every other week night shift. So, we will see what the next month brings...stayed tuned.

* Oh, by the way, I quit Janie and Jack a couple of weeks ago. It was going to just be too much with open houses. Chris needed to be doing the open house while I watched the kids or vice versa. So, moving on...

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5th Catholic Wedding Anniversary

Today marks 5 years since Chris and I were married in the Catholic Church. I woke to flowers, a beautiful card, and a big bag of my favorite: Peanut M&Ms (which I will eat today, seriously!). Who could ask for more! I am giving Chris Flashden (don't ask...because I don't know!).

Now & Always...
                               ...The only 2 times I want to be with you!

Happy Anniversary, Christopher!

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Ready or Not...

Ready or not...we may be putting our house up for sale! The process has at least begun. We have it clean and organized and the appraisals are trickling in, at or near where we thought we should start to sell it at. This is a new experience for Chris and I. It is quite scary to market our home and hopefully sell our home, not knowing if we will be able to find a home that will meet our needs and long list of requirements. What if our home sells and we have not found a home by the closing of the sale. Then what? Well, I don't know...we take a vacation with all of our stuff? Seriously, we will have to figure that out if and when it happens. We can not possibly worry about that now. We will casually look at homes so we can rule some out and rule some in. What we have decided (or we think we have decided) is that we are going to market our home for sale by owner from mid February until maybe late March or early April. At that time, if we have not sold through the Austin Marketing Plan :), we will hire an agent. We have already picked her out (or at least think we have), but we have one more to meet with next week. We want to have all our homework thoroughly done so that people can not say that we did not do our homework. We have extensive market research with 3 separate real estate agents to come up with a competitive price somewhere in the middle. We realize, however, that our home would sell MUCH faster with an agent...but at an extensive cost. I, for one, am willing to give it a shot since the house selling "season" is a month or two away, officially. Chris and I know what we are willing to sell our home for, and it is not less than what homes similar to ours have sold for in the last 6-12 months. I will post pictures when the sign goes in the yard, hopefully in a week or so! And, we will have an open house to family and friends on the day we officially put it on the market, sign and all.
So, know anyone interested in our HOME?

"Beautiful, 2-story home, located in the lovely Elk Creek Crossing subdivision on a large corner lot. Priced to sell! This well maintained home has it all! Dramatic 18 foot entry way, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, wood floors, new furnace, new A/C, security system, sprinkler system, vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters, full fenced backyard, landscaping, large patio, new roof, new carpet, new exterior paint, finished basement, the list goes on and on. Great location! Convenient to all - close to schools, churches, parks and shopping. Offered at $214,900. Contact Chris and Krista at ckausti@cox.net and check out our website for more details: http://members.cox.net/fsbaustin/ .

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25 Things About Me...

25 things random things, facts, habits or goals about me. Please feel free to comment with your 25!

1.      1. Chris and I met in 1996 at the Clarkson 850 Intensive Care Unit where we were both working at the time. I wrote him a note and left it in his mailbox asking if he would want to do something sometime. He called the next day & the rest is history!
2. When Chris & I got married, I told him I did not want any kids. He wanted 2, so we compromised on having one. We now have 3, Alivia, 4 years, Addison, 2 years, and Asher, 1 year old.
3. I am a devote Catholic, but I was not born Catholic. I went through classes (RCIA) to become Catholic in 2004.
4. Chris and I have been married twice. I loved him so much…I just had to marry him 2 times! The first time was in the Methodist Church (August 28, 1999), the second time (January 31, 2004) was in the Catholic Church and I was pregnant with Alivia!
5. I mow the lawn and shovel the walks (but I will not use the snow blower). I do this because Chris works hard all day, and that is the least I can do for him!
6. I want to move, preferably somewhere warm, but that is probably not going to happen. I try to love the neighbor, but I am not at all good at it. Sometimes love just is not enough.
7. I am a wife to Chris first and then a Mommy. I try to keep things in that order because I have my kids because of my Love for Topher! I love being a wife & a Mommy.
8. I can never say I am done having kids. As a devote Catholic, we leave that answer in God’s hands. We are done to the point where I have sold most of the baby things. So, I guess if we are not done, we get to go shopping!
9. My husband is the love of my life. He saved my life and does so every day. I think I had my heart broken many time before Chris so that I would appreciate Chris and know he was my sole mate.
10. I am a type A personality and have a really difficult time just sitting for too long without doing something.
11. I am a very picky eater. I eat meat (chicken) maybe once a year. My favorite foods are Mama’s cheese pizza & peanut M&Ms!
12. I love to run and am quite insane about it! I run at 4:45 AM or at 8PM at night just so I can run outside before Chris goes to work and/or while the kids are sleeping. I have run in rain, snow, sleet, & tornatic activity. I am crazy. I am signed up to run my first ½ marathon this spring in Lincoln & I can’t wait!
13. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in business administration.
14. I have just started playing in the stock market. Buy low ya know.
15. I am the money management queen. We do not have cable or a home phone & have no plans on changing that.
16. I had all 3 of my kiddos early: Alivia at 36 weeks, Addison at 36 ½ weeks and Asher at 36 weeks (although I think he was really term). Alivia was 4lb 15oz!
17. My middle name is Allene, named after Allan Pittman who died over Laos during Vietnam War. He was my Dad’s friend during high school. If I were a boy they were going to name me Ross Allen! Oh, thank goodness I am all girl!
18. Our kids all have special names: Alivia’s middle name, Grace, is by the grace of God we were gifted Alivia. Addison’s middle name, Rose, is after my mom’s Dad who called my Mom Rosie. Now Asher is a biblical name meaning fortunate, blessed, happy and was our table name when I became Catholic. Asher was a 3rd little surprise that God blessed us with. His middle name, Wade is after my cousin Wade Hursey who died at the young age of 33.
19. I am pro-life and believe life begins at conception. If life began later than that, pregnancy tests would not say positive until 12-20 weeks or something…
20. I am a night owl. I worked nights as a nurse and loved it!
21. Being a stay at home mommy is a lot more work than my full time job was and way noisier!
22. I had 2 major accidents growing up: One in a wagon full of corn (any farm kid would understand) and another in my car that I rolled several times totaling it on a rock road on the way to tanning, of all things. I am lucky to have lived to tell about both of them. Oh, and my sister Nikki saved my life from the corn.
23. I spent almost my entire freshman year of high school in the hospital.
24. I can drink, but I now chose not to. Yes, I used to (the century club in college was one of the dumber things I have done and somehow lived to tell about it).
25. I tend to say too much & am a blogger: http://ckaustin.vox.com/

And that's 25...Looking forward to your 25 too!

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Crazy Runner

One of my goals for 2009 is to run my first 1/2 marathon. I began "training" right after the first of the year. Mind you, I run all the time anyway. This just give me something to run towards and gives me a little extra motivation. Winter weather is not fun. I run outside 90% of the time during the winter. The long runs I try to do on "nicer" days whenever possible (I am up to 10 1/2 miles now). On the way home from our outing today, I asked Chris how cold it was. It was a whole 12 degrees. Oh great, I should run on the treadmill (I can only run 5 miles on the treadmill before I seriously lose it with boredom). Chris, being the concerned husband that he is, said that it was such a nice and sunny day and I should run outside (not mentioning that it was freezing!). So, I put on my cuddleduds, t-shirt, hoodie, ear wrap, stocking cap, lined running pants, gloves, Chris' thick socks, etc, and I was off. I was cold for about a mile or two. Then, I got feeling back in my hands and they actually got hot. My face never warmed up. However, I only went 4.3 miles, according to my Garmin's previous recording - it is currently not working and not my friend. (having ran the long run on a nicer day earlier in the week). I call myself a crazy runner, but at least my kids were at home napping all snug in their beds (I saw a lady in our neighborhood speed walking with her 2 kids in the stroller during a day when the van said it was 20 degrees and the wind gusts were 35 miles/hr...THAT IS CRAZY!). Now, if I can just get all these Nebraskans to shovel and de-ice their sidewalks, I would be in great shape!

* Oh, & by the way, Chris went for a run after I did, & outside!

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Get Ready, Set, Play!

 

When you have 3 kiddos to put in winter gear and to load up to go anywhere...you tend to condense. So, we try to do more than one thing while we are already out. So, first, we got ready.

Next, we got set. To get "set" we went and looked at our first potential home of the year. Let's just say: LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! This home was fabulous online. It offered more than 4200 finished square feet with 3 bedrooms, an office, a workout room (that we were hoping to convert into another bedroom), a nice finished basement, 4 fire places, and a pool in the backyard that backed to trees. It was new to the market...so I just wanted to check it out while we were out anyway. We arrived early, so drove through the neighborhood a bit. Chris' thoughts.."No, let's leave." Okay, the builder of our current home had started to build in this neighborhood before the end. The home we looked at was not one of their homes and did not fit in with them really. However, Benchmark made some obvious mistakes that were not corrected. ALL of the electrical boxes were in the front yard! This home had 2 electrical boxes (and I mean big ones) in the front yard! Yuck! Next we drove around a bit. The backyard was tree'd all right, then had a big river on the other side of the fence at the bottom of a big ravine. On the other side of the 50 foot drop to this ravine was a cultisac with one house and some empty plots, and acrossed from that was...CHOOOO CHOOO (check out the pictures below for a better look)!! Yes, nice big train tracks! Seriously! Who would spend that kind of money building a nice home with THAT like 200 yards away. Not us! I quickly called the agent and told him to turn back around, we were not interested. Our home is looking better and better all the time!

Next we went to Mahoney State Park's Activity Center, their indoor playground, to PLAY with the "Parents with young children" group from church! This place is full of those tunnel systems, slides and ball pits that you see at those yucky pizza places, but on a grand scale. Chris, the kids and I were "trapped" in the tunnels for long periods of time with what seemed to be no escape. They are a kids' dream, if you are Alivia's age. For Addison, she was not so sure what to think most of the time, finding skipping on the ground and playing in the ball pits to be more fun that the giganic slides that picked up speed and gave you an air lifting ride! Asher liked the balls. The tunnels and the big slides he could have done without. As for Chris and I, we found we are much too old and big to be chasing babies and kids through, up and down tunnels! That is a lot of work! And, we left a bit too late. Our kids are quite scheduled and need to be in bed at 12:30 or there is a big price to pay...your hearing! I fed them on the way home, but that did not help. Addison cried most of the way home, with Asher piping in. Oh joy! But, we had fun, & that is all that is important.

 

 

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On The Move Take 1

Well, if I have said it once I have said it a million times, we think we want to move this spring. Spring is quickly approaching (or at least we hope so), so we are getting our home ready for potentially putting it on the market. The homes in our neighborhood have vastly declined in value, however. There are only a few homes being marketed now and were put on the market in November. I realize that home values in the winter are less than during the spring (or at least the agents tell you - low ball your house so it will sell since there are less buyers during the winter). Anyway, here is the plan.

1. Clear out/Clean up: This is where we are at now. We, and by we I am mostly saying I, are cleaning every closet, cupboard and drawer. This is fun! I so like to get rid of unnecessary clutter, organize and make things look pretty. Now, if only they can stay that way! That is how I know I did a good job...if it lasts. We will soon be taking done many of our big toys and putting them into storage (the play house, the baby center, the kitchen, and the slide). Chris thinks it should all be out except the train table. The toys under the steps in the storage room will stay, so the kids can play with "something!" Chris can not help much with anything as he is working lots of overtime between now and May 1. This just ads another challence to an already overwhelming challenge!

2. Deep clean. After I get the entire house organized, I will need to go through and deep clean. By that I mean vacuum, dust, clean the windows, blinds, ceilings, fans, bathrooms, etc, etc. Oh, this will be fun, too. Especially with 3 kids trying really hard to not keep things clean.

3. Have 2 agents come out and look at the house. Why 2? We do not know these people, although they are recommended. We would like to have a couple opinions on what changes, if any, should be done to our home. They will also be giving us their opinion on a selling price. Chris and I also have what we want to sell our home for. We will see how close they are.

4. Have an open house with family and friends. This is my idea because I love to be tortured I guess. I thought...1) It gets the word out that our home is for sale, 2) Family & Friends will hopefully write on cards and tell us what we need to do or what they would not like about the home (like YUCK - that is awful! or you may want to clean your ceiling fans better...who knows! All valuable information in my opinion!).

4. Chris will build a splash sales page and build a website (hopefully with a virtual walk through of our home). I will be in charge of getting the sales page out to post wherever I can.

5. Put our home on the market FOR SALE BY OWNER. Yes, we know...YOU WILL NEVER SELL IT THAT WAY! Everyone is saying that. But, what do we have to lose? Oh yeah, $6 % of our selling price of our home if we use an agent. I told Chris, I will work REALLY HARD for him to sell it without an agent...try me! I already have some ideas up my sleeve on how to market it. I knew my MBA would come in handy some day (well, maybe). We will give this a go for 6 to 8 weeks, then reevaluate.

6. If late March to late April comes without much interest shown (if not sooner), we may market it with an agent. It all depends upon what the agent wants us to market our house for. Right now, if we marketed it for what they are listed for in our neighborhood and got exactly what we ask (and what is the likelihood of that happening??!!), after the agent's fees and commissions, we would almost end up with a wash to what we paid for our home nearly 9 years ago!! So, the finished basement, 10 big mature trees (not to mention all the shrubs) and professional landscaping, new air conditioner/furnace, new stainmaster carpeting throughout, plantation shutters, freshly painted interior and exterior, new roof, fenced in backyard,  etc, etc, would all be completely lost and a wasted investment. If this is the case, we will probably not list our home and just stay put until the market changes, unfortunately.

We are ready to move. We like our home, but need a little more room. We live in a great area, practically within walking distance of a number of places (Target, Walmart, HyVee, a couple places to get an oil changed, school, walking trail, park and sprinkle park). These will all be considerations of any potential new home. We will not be bidding on any home until our home sells. We may look, however, but will not bid (at least that is what we are saying now). We have a few homes that we like online now...but the homes on the market change weekly. The location of our home, however good, is not good for Chris who has commuted the 45 minute or more drive to Bellevue for over a decade now! Now especially, when he is working from 6AM to 5 PM, then driving home during rush hour after that long of a day! Yeah, that can be hard on a person.

So, we will see what the future holds. For now, I best get going as I have a big mess started in the kitchen...I have started to clean the cupboards! Oh, this better be worth it!  

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Winter Swim Class

Swimming lessons

It is January, so what else should be do but take swimming classes with a new teacher. I decided to enroll both Alivia and Addison hoping that Addison would cooperate with her sister at her side. Well, after 2 weeks, Addison said she wanted to get out and and go home and would not get into the pool further than the sitting step. So, she had to withdraw from class. Alivia is still very timid. She is the only one in her class now, so we may be switching so she can watch other kids actively participating in hopes that she will follow suit. We have had her in a number of classes without much if any signs of improvement. Swimming may just not be her thing. 

One thing I did not consider when enrolling in winter swimming...the clothes, taking off the coats & clothes, swimming then, the clothes, drying the hair, etc. Yikes...it takes forever!! But, it is so worth it in the end, right?

 

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Addison's 1/2 Birthday

Addison's 1/2 Birthday: 2 1/2 years!

Today Addison is officially 2 ½! Although Addison may be a big girl in our eyes, she plays the baby card well by asking to be carried, her eternal love for her taggie blankets, and her refusal to go #2 in the potty.  Although she is potty trained during the day, Addison saves her “woo woo” for naptime and night time.  I have refused to put a diaper on her on a couple of occasions in an effort to get her to use the potty, and that has not turned out pretty or clean.  Addison can be found skipping through the house carrying a cooler, backpack or her jewelry box stuffed full of toys and insisting on taking them everywhere with her. She loves to go to bed with all of these bags, taggies, and her name stepstool in her toddler bed with her! Sometimes I wonder how she fits her little body in amongst all of that stuff!

Addison’s favorites: Boppas, Taggie Blankets, Dolls, watching potty Elmo (Although the only thing she is learning is new words for “pee” & “poo”), watching home videos & Curious George, playing with Alivia & Asher, screaming, spaghetti dinner with garlic toast, cookies, & Addison loves our weekly outings where ever it is. She loves to color and change her clothes (by herself) numerous times a day...keeping Mommy busy with laundry. And, as you can tell from these pictures, she loves getting her picture taken!

Addison’s Dislikes: Washing her hair & having it combed, being told to go potty,  taking nap and going to bed at night, and being picked on by her sister really throws her for a loop. Although Addison used to be our best sleeper, she now plays for a long while before finally crashing during naptime. At night, she was running to Alivia’s room to read books, but now she knows that Mommy or Daddy are in the hall and stays put.  She goes to bed about 8 with Alivia and wakes around 7 (sometimes much sooner unknown to me!) and goes into Alivia’s room to read and play.

We had Addison’s favorite dinner, spaghetti, tonight and ½ Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes to celebrate her ½ Day! Happy ½ Birthday Addison!

 

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Mommy Can't...

Today, I loaded up the kids for an adventure. Oh, not an adventure to a new park, the museum, or even the zoo, this was a trip to the doctor. Seriously, have you ever taken 3 kids ages 4, 2, and 1 to the doctor with you. Believe me, it is an adventure. One that I was dreading for sure.

Anyone who knows me knows I either have to be really sick and/or pregnant to go to the doctor. Let me report, it is NOT the latter! So, I loaded up the crew to go to the doctor.

We arrived on time. I filled out some paperwork since it had been since 2005 that I had been to my family physician (having spent so much time in my OB's office, I guess I have not felt like going to my family doctor for a check-up. After today, I will not be going again, either). We waited and waiting, the waiting room cleared, then filled up again, and we waited and waited some more. This process was repeated 3 more times until the receptionist decided to go and check on what was going on. I, at this moment, wished I was a drug rep again as 3-4 drug reps had come in, got their signatures and left while I was still sitting there trying to entertain the kids.

Finally the nurse called us back. I got into the nice attire as Addison and Alivia stared at me, asking numerous questions. The PA (No, not the Dr as she was just too busy. Seriously, I could have been a drug rep because that was the same line they gave me then!) came into the room right away and looked a little concerned about the kids being in the room. "Do you want them to leave?" she asked. Um, and go where? It is me and only me. Want me to put them in the hallway?

Anyway, as she started the exam, Asher, who was on the floor with his books and the cell phone to entertain him, seriously lost it. He was crying at the top of his lungs so that anyone in the building could have heard him. Meanwhile, my helper girl, Alivia, was sitting behind him plugging her ears and Addison was sitting in a chair with her taggie sucking her thumb. The PA called in the nurse and Asher held up his hands to her. Great, he is going to let her hold him. Um, no such luck. He cried harder with big tears rolling down his face. The nurse finally handed Asher to me as the PA finished her exam and questioning. Asher was quiet almost immediately (all he wanted was me!).

I left completed embarrassed for a few reasons that I will not get into. I decided yesterday that Mommy can't get sick (I had a bad case of the stomach flu!) , and today I learned that Mommy can't go to the doctor. And, I am sure my doctors will be relieved to hear that. My visit today probably caused the office to take an early lunch and tell a few more drug reps, "Sorry, today just is not a good day."

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What's on your iPod?

I recently inherited my old iPod Nano from Chris after he got the iPod Touch for Christmas. I have had a difficult time finding tunes to put on the thing to rock my workout. With that said, here is my list. Any suggested workout tunes would be greatly appreciated!

1. Beautiful Day (U2)
2. Apologize (One Republic)
3. U and Ur Hand (Pink) (and I do not like this one!)
4. Move Along (The All American Rejects)
5. Hate My Life (Theory of a Deadman) Chris' suggestion and the song is so funny. I can relate to a couple parts. :)
6. Training Montage (Rocky IV)
7. Declaration (David Cook)
8. Light on (David Cook)
9. Rock your Body (Justin Timberlake)
10. Crush (David Archuleta)
11.The time of My LIfe (David Cook)
12 Angel (Natasha Bedingfield)
13 Say (John Mayer)
14 Pocketful of Sunshine
15. Burning Heart (Rocky IV)

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Back to "Normal"

Today we are back to "normal" at the Austin house after having Alivia off from preschool and Daddy off from work for 2 weeks! Alivia was super excited and talked non stop today in anticipation of her return to school. Daddy, on the other hand, was pretty quiet.
We tried to have as much fun as possible during their vacations. We went to both the Omaha and Lincoln Children's museums, the girls and Chris went to the movies, we celebrated Christmas many times over and New Years, went to Mass a lot, and played a lot with the new toys. Addison started her New Year's goal of going #2 on the potty without success. So, I am going to be potty training Addison right up until I begin potty training Asher. You would think I would be getting good at this at some point. Alivia started her goal of triyng to wear less than 4 outfits a day. I have started on my goals (and I will get to that later) and Daddy is back to working out consistantly and looking into moving more seriously (you should see all his paperwork!).
Chris and I finished his vacation with our "date night" at home with pizza and a movie (after the kiddos go to bed). The movie, Eagle Eye, was quite good and I would recommend it!

Hopefully we all have memories of this Holiday Season that will last a lifetime.

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Asher walks

 

 

Asher Walking 1-1-2009

Seems like yesterday that Addison starting walking. Asher has taken off since turning 13 months old on Monday. He is now walking from place to place more than crawling! All of our kiddos started walking during their 13 month. Yeah, now we have 3 kids to chase after!

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Problem Solved?

As we were getting ready for Mass this morning, I showed Chris that I was using the last little bit of my blush (make-up). As Chris normally does, he quickly came up with a solution to my problem.

"Just toot during Mass...that will make you blush."

 I think I will just buy some blush. But, thanks anyway Chris.

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Happy New Year 2009!

Happy New Year!
It is the time of year that we, in the Austin household, create goals that will make us better in the upcoming year (or at least that is the "goal." I tried to explain to Alivia and Addison the concept of making goals. We helped Addison make a goal of only sleeping with her Taggie Blankets and going #2 in the potty! Alivia said her goal was to play. Yeah, me too! Chris encouraged her to make a goal to pray every night with us (although she knows Hail Mary really well) and try and wear less than 4 outfits a day!

First, let's review how we did on last year's goals. We organized, saved, became more active, bought the bear minimum and purchased a mini van! However, on the updated goals in July, I have some work to do. I am STILL not finished with Addison's 1 year scrapbook, but I am 3/4 finished with Asher's!

Goals for 2009:
1. Continue to buy only bear minimum: I think this should be an ongoing goal regardless of how much or how little money one has.
2. Save more, more, and invest. The money does little good just sitting there...so we need to invest our savings a little more.
3. Move by the 4th of July? This is a goal that is a little out of our control. There a number of factors playing into the decision, the market being a major one. We also want to move living on one income, so that plays a big role as well. The 4th of July? Well, last year, after sitting in our yard narrowly being missed by fireworks, Chris and I hoped to be in a New Home by 4th of July of 2009. We will see.
4. Limit computer time. I will always blog, do online banking, and work with our pictures online. However, some of the other things (facebook) are just a waste of time!
5. If we do not move: Get a deck. :)
6. Take a family trip and book a 10 year anniversary trip for Chris and I for next winter (our 10 year anniversary is this upcoming August).
7. Visit the Grandparents at least once a month.

8. I want to run a 1/2 marathon. Okay, I have said it. Now, if we move, that may throw a problem into the mix. This goal has been on my list for years. Now, I think I will try and achieve it. I ran nearly 1/2 of a 1/2 marathon this year...now can I pull off a real one this year? Um, the jury is still out. Having to run at either 4 AM or 9 PM makes it rather difficult to throw a 12 mile run in, too. As my Dad always says, you have to have goals.  

 Let the new year begin...ready or not!

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December in Review

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! We began the month of December getting ready for the Holidays and ended it by started off 2009! We kept busy as usual, going to the zoo, Omaha and Lincoln Children Museums, seeing Santa 3 times!, Alivia's Sunday School Program...etc. It was a fun filled month, that is for sure. Wishing you all Health and Happiness in 2009! Please keep in touch!
The Austin Five

December Photos
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=376c2648bfbee769c7e45aad1e0cdff4&sid=8EbNmblo3bsxc

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Morning at the LCM

 

We are trying to have as much fun as we can while Daddy is on vacation. Last Tuesday, we went to the Omaha Children's Museum for our monthly visit and were able to see their Christmas Light Show. So, today, we invited Grandma, Cousins Lucas and Henry to go with us to the Lincoln Children's Museum. The museum is packed full of fun activities for the kids to enjoy. Alivia's favorite parts were the Prairie Dog Town where the kids were able to crawl in little "prairie dog tunnels," (Oh, and that was fun to chase little Asher through! He loved them!), playing in the real airplane, the Doctor clinic, and the stage area where she played a long time with Cousin Lucas. Addison liked the tunnels, too, as well as the grocery store. Asher, if he could say, liked the tunnels and big truck area. It is probably safe to say, we all had fun!

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Day at the Movies...

Movie Time!

Daddy took the girls to see Bolt. This was Addison's first official movie. Daddy thought the movie was a little old for her and perhaps a little long (she got a little squirmy). Alivia had fun, and they all enjoyed the treats!

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The Last Christmas

The Austin Grandkids

Tonight marked the last Christmas celebration of 2008. We went to Chris' parents to celebrate Christmas with his Brother & family and Chris' parents. The food, fun, presents were all wonderful. The kids have so much fun together, too. Alivia liked her new lunch box and cupcake watch, Addison liked her new books and Janie and Jack outfit. Chris and I will enjoy our night out at a hotel alone (although that may go against Chris' 2009 goal). :). Many nice and wonderful things to enjoy all year around. And, to top it off, Asher ended the day of turning 13 months old by really walking around!! He was choosing to walk from A to B instead of crawl. Yeah for Asher!

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Asher At 13 Months

Asher @ 13m

 Normally, I do not do monthly updates after a year. But, this month is special for Asher. One year ago was when he was hospitalized with RSV. Asher will always be our child with 9 lives, or at least 2 of them!

A lot has changed in the last month. Asher is now walking, unofficially. He can take 15 or so steps and stand alone. But, is still crawling as his primary mode of movement. It is so fun to watch him walk and then look to us for cheers. He likes walking to Alivia, too! He still likes walking holding onto my hand, too, but is now down to one hand. He appears to be getting taller and becoming more of a little boy than a baby. He is talking a lot (especially when compared to his sisters at this age). He says "cocoa" for cocoa puffs!, Piper (our cat), Boppa (for Grandpa), car, Dadda, Mamma, Ball, uh-oh, ugh-uh (for no while shaking his head), hi, bye-bye,and sock just to name a few things.  He is really good about repeating words I say. I tell him to say, "ball" and point to a ball, and he will repeat it not just that time, but a day or 2 later will still remember. I seem to understand Asher more than Addison, probably because he talks to me without his thumb in his mouth! He also loves to tell us yes and no by shaking his head. Asher still loves to eat, and a lot. Although officially weaned last week from nursing, he is having problems with thinking breakfast should be at 5 AM! Today, for example, he ate breakfast twice! He likes table foods, but is choking a lot! So, we still give him a serving of baby food at every meal and supplement with table food. He is sleeping 7:45-5 or 6 AM (but sometimes 7:30...since weaning he is all over the place). He naps from 12:30-4 or 4:30! However, we are considering a room exchange with Alivia because he is such a light sleeper. Since he is right over the entryway with shutters closing his room off, he hears every noise and wakes up. He typically goes back to sleep, but it just makes it difficult to get anything done while he is in bed since we pretty much have to stay in the basement. We will see. Asher continues to like to be close to Mommy's side, crying if I am out of sight for even a moment!
It is amazing how much Asher has changed in the last month! By the end of today...he is walking a lot!! We look forward to seeing him grow in the months to come.

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I Do Nothing, Eh?

It has come to my attention that I do nothing. When I was a working Mom, I heard a lot of negative comments from people about that I was "still working" and the kids were "still going to daycare." Now that I am a stay at home mom, now I hear comments reflecting that I do nothing. It is funny, for not doing anything, I sure do a lot. And, I do not have very many people volunteering to watch the kids for an extended period of time (and none of the people that make the "Do nothing" comments have volunteered.)

So, I do nothing, eh? I first and foremost am a mommy and take care of our 3 little kids (which includes play, teach, clean up after them, take them to fun places, crawl around on the floor acting like an animal...ya know, all that hard stuff. In addition, I mow, sometimes shovel, stain fences, paint, cook, bake, clean (even though it may look dirty…I am constantly cleaning. We have 3 messy kiddos!! So the cleaning is never done), do laundry, run errands, go to the grocery store at 10pm when most people asleep, keep up on family photos and diaries, buy all gifts that need to be purchased, am the family account manager (money Nazi), update our home with furnishings, do some of the household repairs (like caulking around sinks, clean drains, or I call someone to fix major things like windows), blah blah blah. You get the picture. I don't just sit around here DOING NOTHING. That so annoys me. And, even though I do not work, I still celebrate Holidays (I just do not get them off from my "DO Nothingness"). Every day is not a Holiday to me. And, while the normal population gets paid with money, I get paid with kisses and hugs and a happy husband, most of the time.

So, you see, there is a lot to this DOING NOTHING business.  

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Auntie Marsha's Peanut Butter Snack Mix

Mmmmm! Auntie Marsha made these for us when we were in great need of comfort food. It is such a heart healthy snack for kids and for us. Enjoy!!

3 TBSP honey

2 TBSP Margarine

3 TBSP peanut butter

4 cups chex cereal (assorted wheat, rice and corn)
2 cups pretzels

1/3 cup dry-roasted peanuts (we omitted this ingredient because our family is picky).

 

1.       Preheat over to 175F

2.       Combine honey, marg, PB in microwave save bowl. Heat until smooth. Combine cereal, pretzels and nuts. Pour PB mix over cereal and toss to coat. Spread on baking sheet and bake 1 ½ hours. Makes 6 cups. Yummy!

 

·          Recipe by Holly Ciegg – Auntie Marsha got this from a magazine.

 

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