Her choices are....odd

It's been a long time since I have posted, I am sure there is dust collecting somewhere on here (and the rest of my house too). I was trying to think of something amusing that was blog worthy the other day and was feeling a bit discouraged, until I went to my bedroom where Gretchen was taking her nap. I let her sleep in there so she doesnt wake Elliott, because if he doesnt get a good nap, or Gretchen, then well, the rest of the day isnt so fun. Anyway, onto the nap. Whenever Gretchen lays down she has to find something to sleep with and I have been noticing that her choices are a little odd. I have found her snuggled up with one of Chris' shirts, my belt (several times), books, toys, kleenex box, and the best one was a book about womens health issues. I also have found her in weird attire. I went to see if she was alseep one day and found her wearing some knee high stockings on her arms (kinda Madonna looking) I hadnt realized until she got up that she had some on her legs too. So I decided I am going to start keeping a list on here of the odd things I find her napping with. Hopefully someone else can get a good giggle out of it too.

Never a dull moment when Cael is around! :)

My nephew Cael stopped by today on his bike today, the kids wanted him to stay for lunch, which was fine with with me, but I teased him we were not having cereal. He is just a crack up in the things he says and does. Jeni had noticed at one point that it looked like his pants were on backwards so this is what went on with that conversation:
Jeni: "Cael, are your pants on backwards?"
Cael: "No" and just shruggs his shoulders
Jeni: "come here" she is giggling and puts her hands in his pockets
Cael: "Those are my back pockets, these pants dont have front pockets" These are athletic pants and are obviously backwards at this point and looks funny since the rear in them has more space than the front
Jeni: "Your tag is in front" She is teasing him
Cael: Shrugs and says "I wear my underwear backwards too" Then he farts and moves on to go play.

I am laughing so hard at this point, he was still better dressed than Gabi who is wearing a blue and red Cubs shirt(that is too short b/c it isnt hers), pint cordoroy pants with flowers, orange and white stripped socks and a purple jacket. Fashion diva I tell ya. Gretchen isnt a whole lot better with the red velour like shirt that she is wearing over her clothes that I got at Goodwill for a Halloween costume several years ago.

Priorities of the youngin's

Let me set up the scene: I am sitting at the computer looking on Facebook. Gabi see's some people had profile picture changes and was asking their names.
Gabi: Is that Mackenzie?
Me: yes
Gabi: Whose that?
Me: A girl named Erin I went to school with when I was a little girl.
Gabi: What color was her backpack?
Me: I don't remember
Gabi: What color was your backpack?
Me: Sorry, I don't remember (I don't even know if I had a backpack then)
Gabi: Was it pink?
Me: I don't think I had a pink backpack (I hated pastel colors)
Gabi: I think I would have a blue and black one to put stuff in for school.

And that was it. I love how her mind is and would love to spend 15 minutes in there. Everything has to be about a color, blue church (CBC) red church (Harmony Bible that we will visit when out of town, or as Jarrett referred to it as HBC the other day :)sure why not we shorten our church name)

it stinks

Have you ever been heartbroken? I am sure most of you have at some point in your life. Heartbreak over your "first love" (in second grade) or the passing of a loved one. All things in that catagory are heartbreaking, but nothing hurts more than to see your child hurt and see them not understand how to deal with it. Tuesday afternoon Jeni found out about a friend who tragically passed away due to injuries in a car accident. I am sure I will forever remember the sound of her voice when she called me to let me know, honestly when I heard her voice my mind immediately thought something had happened to Elliott since she was home with him. But to hear the confusion and panic in her voice...well, I pray no one will ever have to hear that from their child. She has been spending time with friends and chatting on Facebook with them about their friend, which is always helpful. Many hugs and "I love you's" have been exchanged. Tonight is the visitation for this young man, I am hoping to be able to go with her, for support. Tomorrow is the funeral. Looking back, I remember all to well what going to the funeral of someone your age is like, especially in high school. It certainly is not one of those experiences you want ou kids to have growing up. We keep reassuring her that in time, it will be better, and thank you to all who have said kind words or come over to talk to her. It is all in Gods plan and to let how Tyler lived his life to be an example and to take with them the kindness that he showed to them and to return the favor to someone else. As a mother to see the hurt in my child is difficult, yet I cant imagine how the mother of this young man has to be heartbroken over the loss of her child. Yet, it is a great reminder to not let them leave the house on a sour note, it could be the last time you speak to them.

Windy City here we come!

This momma is getting a bit anxious (family, you know me and how I get). Chris and I and 3 other couples from Church as well as a mom and grandma of one of the men, are all heading to Chicago bright and early (4:30) tomorrow morning. We are going to Moody Bible Institute for their Founders Week. We will be catching the last day of speakers and staying overnight. I am personally very excited for a chance to get to hear Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham speak.
I am also very excited to get to spend some time with Chris, without kids. But at the same time, very anxious because other than being in the hospital having a baby, I havent been away from them overnight since before we were even expecting Gabi, and she will be 5 soon. That is 3 little ones that I have not been away from overnight, so right now, my emotions are a bit on the up and down. I know me, and I will be sappy probably until we get to Mechanicsville, maybe not since we are riding with the Schusters, I am sure that they will be able to liven it up even at that time of day. And I will do good until bedtime, that is when I will start to really miss those hugs and kisses I get during the day from them and holding onto the chubby fingers. Ahhhh.....sniff sniff. Enough of that. I am very much looking forward to spending this time with Chris, and I know he is looking forward to spending this time with me as well. He and I could use a mini vacation. It will be fun to see what things Tour Guide Vanessa has found to check out while in Chicago before we head home Saturday. WEll, off to get stuff done since I will have to be getting up in about 12 hours, YIKES!!!!!!

My hubby ROCKS!!

Apparently the savings game is rubbing off on Chris, Sunday he ran to the store to get milk and pick up some Subs from Subway. I sent him off with the Supersaver and a couple of Q's for milk. He comes home all happy and pretty much bragging about how he didnt use the supersaver for the subs b/c with the deal they were running, it was cheaper to not use it. SWEET!!!! Saved a couple bucks gotta love that. Then he runs to Gary's to get milk, he did use the supersaver which was .99 a gallon plus I had sent him with 2 .50 off q's for Roberts milk. He also grabbed some chips (Sterzings of course) total bill 7.98. Cant beat that for 1 gallon and 1 1/2 gallon of milk and 2 bags of overpriced (but a yummy, salty walk down memory lane)chips. I told him I was going to have to brag him up a bit.

Let me tell you, it just seems so unreal that after all the years we have been together and all the trials, I love my husband more and more everyday!

Out with the old, in with the older?

The skid mark is gone. Of course as I type, Jeni has not noticed yet, or has not said anything. No, the skid mark is not something left behind on a pair of underwear that I triumphantly got clean. No, it is what we nicknamed Jeni's car, if any of you have ever seen it, you will understand. We sold that baby tonight to some kids, oddly enough, from Burlington. It was yet again in need of some costly work and we were done paying to have it fixed over and over, we have put over 1400.00 into that car in the last 2 years. So, we started doing some searching and found a nice older car for her. She frowned at the Crown Vic's that we would show her (geez who doesnt want a land barge?) What we did find was a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron. It has spent all of its life up until June in Arizona, so no body rust. It does have some minor body flaws, but what doesnt after 20 years? It's red, a bit pimped out for my liking, and a CONVERTIBLE! Yikes! But, the price was great, Jeni is going to pay us for it and we will sign it over to her when she does. Until then, Chris and I have researved the right to take off in it on any given nice evening with the top down :) I'll post a pic, I know Jeni has some in her camera, she couldnt wait to show people.