A Train Ride To The Beach

Ok, so maybe we didn't really take a train ride to the beach . . . .

Today was an awesome day filled with family fun. We packed the kids into the car and took the hour and a half trip to Bay Beach and the Train Museum.

First stop was Bay Beach. I hadn't been to Bay Beach in probably eight years. It was way better than I remembered it! The awesome thing is, there were LOTS of rides for little kids. In fact, I think there were more little kid rides than big kid ones - which made my kids VERY HAPPY!

At first I wasn't sure if Kadin would even go on any rides. When we went to the Welfair earlier this summer, it took all my coaxing to get him on the little choo-choo train. I'm not sure if it was the fact that his little sister was running to get on all the rides, or perhaps he's just gotten a little more brave . . . . but he had a blast riding on everything he possibly could. It was great! Check it out . . . . .

Kadin & Bella as fighter pilots!

Grab your life vest . . . it's time to go boating!

Who can resist the lady bugs?

All aboard! Then after a quick lunch stop, it was on to the "Ooo-Ooo Ains" as Bella calls them. She LOVES trains. She gets excited everytime she sees or hears one. She will instantly start singing the Thomas song when she sees anything that has Thomas The Train on it.

I was particularly interested in seeing how she would react being so up-close to these trains. Honestly, I don't know who enjoyed the train museum more . . . Brian, myself or Bella. We all loved it. I was so surprised that we actually got to go inside these really old trains. They smelled like musty old fabric and they had dim lights that would light the way. It was so cool. My only complaint is that we got there so late, we didn't get enough time to explore everything.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the museum . . .

Kadin & Bella in the engine - notice all the red gadgets to the right - way cool!

Brian shot this picture of us from outside the train.

I really like this picture because Brian just happened to snap this as we walked past.

I like this shot because you can see part of the train - too bad my eyes were closed. UGGHH!

Check out my favorite picture of the day. It's over on the side-bar and it's my wonderful family in front of the giant train wheels - it really puts into perspective how huge those wheels are!

Too Weird

Brian was at softball tonight and the kids and I were just finishing up dinner and about to head out to the ballpark to watch his game. I'm packing a bag with some snacks for the kids when our doorbell rings.

Naturally, I think it's Phillip and Christina wanting to play so Kadin runs to get the door and on his way I tell him to just tell them we are leaving and you can't play. So Kadin opens the door and I hear him say "Who are you?"

Ok, so now I'm wondering who the heck is at my front door . . . I go around the corner and there stands this little red-haired boy at our doorstep - a boy I've never seen before in my life. I look out the door and there in our yard is the little boy's bike (still with training wheels) and his helmet.

This is the conversation I had with said little boy:

Me: Hi there . . . do you need something?

Boy: Is there a big boy in there?

Me: A big boy? No, there's no big boy in here. Are you looking for someone?

Boy: No. Are you sure there's not a big boy in there? (He's getting a little nervous now)

Me: Are you lost? (in my head - Oh, please Lord - don't be lost!!!!)

Boy: No. Can I come in and play? (again in my head - @#$#!@ NO!!)

Me: No, we were actually just about to leave . . . where are your parents?

Boy: They are at Bob and Nancy's.

Me: Where do Bob and Nancy live?

Boy: Just down there (he points down the road). See? Where that white fence is? Bob and Nancy have grandkids over sometimes - and they have bon fires too.

Me: Are you related to Bob and Nancy - are they your Aunt & Uncle?

Boy: No. We just visit them sometimes.

Me: Do your parents know where you are? (WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS MYSTERY KID!!!!!)

Kadin: Mom, we can just play for a little bit before we go. (oh gee, thanks Kadin!!)

Me: Well, why don't you go and play in the back yard for a little bit. But, we have to leave soon.

Kadin, Bella and mystery boy head off towards the swingset and I head off down the road to the white fence and hopefully Nancy & Bob's house. I walk over there and there is no one around. No parent frantically looking for their lost toddler . . . no Bob . . . no Nancy.

So . . . to make a long story short - I finally convince Nolan (that's mystery boy's name) to let us walk him to what I think is Bob & Nancy's house. Well, it turns out that Nolan and his family are actually our neighbors (three or four houses down) . . . Bob & Nancy are Nolan's next door neighbors. See, that's what happens when you get the story from a five-year-old!

AND, it appears that Kadin now has another new friend to play with. Which, needless to say, they won't be riding bikes together anytime soon!

Growing Up

I figured that when Kadin started kindergarten, it would probably be harder for me to let him go than for him to go on his own. In fact, we took him to a development day at the school and he just ran into the classroom and started playing with all the toys - he didn't even look back to see where we were.

The very thought of Kadin some day hopping on his bike and taking off with his friends terrifies me! I can't imagine not knowing where he is at all times and being there to protect him from the dangers of the world.

I had a first as a parent on Sunday . . . it was the first time Kadin went over to a friend's house to play. There is a little boy named Nicholas that spends time at his grandma's house - his grandma lives two houses down from us. Nicholas plays with Phillip and Christina, so naturally Kadin became friends with Nicholas as well.

So, we get home from Grandpa's house and like clockwork, there is Phillip, waiting for us . . . but this time he had Nicholas with him. He asks if Kadin can play and Nicholas says they can go to his house and play in the basement. Of course I am uneasy with this because I don't really know Nicholas or his family . . . but Brian assures me that he'll be fine.

Kadin rushes to get his shoes on and as I'm frantically trying to lay the ground rules for going to a stanger's house I watch my little boy run away with his friends out of our yard and out of sight.

As I watch him go, I think about the coming months when we will be dropping him off for his first day of school . . . some day we will be dropping him off at college.

Being a parent is so strange . . . there are days when I feel like time is standing still . . . then there are days like yesterday when I can't remember when my little baby grew into a boy.

Phillip - The Neighbor Kid

Our neighbors are different. If I had to describe them in just five words it would be - Little House on the Prairie. You know, Mom is wearing the apron cooking and cleaning and tending to the kids. Dad is doing chores, fixing the house supporting the family.

I'm not exactly sure how many kids there are . . . perhaps five or six. Several are grown adults, there are a couple teenage daughters, and then there are Phillip-8 and Christina-5.

Since summer began, Phillip and Christina basically come over EVERY DAY. You might think I'm joking, but I'm not. Seriously, everyday they are at our house. Now, I am grateful that Kadin has kids around that he can play with . . . BUT - Phillip is just plain weird!!!

First of all, he's 8! I think he's a little old to be playing with a four year old, but that's just me. At first I wondered why he didn't have any friends his own age - then I came to learn that they do not attend public school. The whole brood is taught at home, by their mother.

I'm sure some people that choose to home school their kids do a fine job. I know there is a lot of curriculum out there that parents can use - but I am a big advocate of the public school system. We have teachers for a reason people!!! AND - even if you could educate your children properly at home, what about the social aspects of school that they will miss out on????

It is clear to me, from interacting with these two kids - they are definitely lacking some social skills. Here are just a few things that Phillip does that annoy/creep me out.

1. He will sit and peek in our front door - won't ring the doorbell, won't knock - just sits there peeking and waiting until we notice he's there. CREEPY


2. He will stand next to the bush that lines our yard and just watch us. Eventually he'll come over or yell to Kadin, but he typically just stands there and watches. CREEPY


3. The second we come home from anywhere - he appears. I think he watches to see when we come home. CREEPY and ANNOYING


4. We once caught Phillip peeking in the front door and Christina with her faced smashed into the glass of the back door - at the same time. CREEPY


5. I caught Phillip picking these little yellow flowers out of our grass and eating them by the handfuls. He told me they were wood sorrels and that you could eat them. Of course I didn't believe a word the kid said and when Kadin tried to eat them I quickly told him that they were yucky. Phillip then informed me that they clean out your intestines (I guess he learned that in "school"). As you can see from the picture - I think the little creep was right - at least about the type of flower they were! ANNOYING
6. He's very aggressive with the toys. He's the kid that comes over and ends up breaking everything. He's rough AND he's bigger than all the other kids - so someone usually ends up getting hurt. ANNOYING
7. He'll come over when I'm watering the flowers and talk to me about meaningless stuff. The other day he asked me why God made mosquitoes. I told him I didn't know. He proceeded to tell me that it was so people could remember the sins of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. ANNOYING
8. Brian caught Phillip in our house by himself when we were all outside. He told Brian he was getting some race cars to play with. CREEPY

I sometimes feel like we are prisoners in our own home - like we should keep all the doors and windows shut, leave all the lights off and pretend we're not home. Phillip would probably just come over with a flashlight.

This Is What Happens . . .

When your two year old refuses to take a nap . . .

and you expect her to eat dinner.

The Two Dad's In My Life

I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday - better late than never!


To my dad:

You are one of the hardest working people I know. You've sacrificed so much for me and my family - you work tirelessly everyday to provide things for me that you didn't have growing up. It is a truly amazing gift to know that even now - a grown woman with a family of my own - if ever I would need anything, may dad would be the first one there to help. You are my protector, and the foundation of this family.

I've been lucky enought to witness that sparkle in your eye when you see your grandkids . . . how you would reach up and give them the moon if they asked. My favorite vision is the look on your face when Isabella wraps her tiny arms around you - I can almost see your heart melt.

Thank you Dad, for everything you have done for me, and everything that you will do for me. You always made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I love you.








To my children's dad:

The way you interact with our children amazes me every day. They truly have fun with you and I have to admit that sometimes I am jealous at how easily you let yourself go with them. I admire your kindness even when your patience is frazzled and your strictness when the situation arises. You are the perfect combination of fun and authority.

God has certainly blessed our lives and on this Father's Day I want to take the time to thank you. Thank you for our kids, and for being the kind of dad that wants to change poopy diapers, wants to rock them to sleep, wants to hold the puke bowl when they are sick, wants to dig the slivers out of their feet, and wants to become a kid all over again in the world of make believe.

I love you Brian - thanks for not only being a wonderful husband, but a great dad too!

One Week Is All It Takes

I have been at my new job for one week now. It is obvious to me that there are differences between my old job and my new job (as one would expect). I just want to highlight some of the differences thus far . . . .

Cleanliness
My office:
New Job - There is an actual person who comes and collects my trash EVERYDAY!Sometimes I only have like three little things in there and he takes it away anyway! He even gives me a brand new bag . . . .
Old Job - Let's just say there is no person, basically the person is me.
New Job - When I arrived, my desk was completely clean.
Old Job - When I arrived I found all the drawers, cabinets and files, were full of stuff that belonged to the person that sat there before me. The kicker . . . it was my job to decide what to keep, what to pitch, and where to put the stuff.
The Restroom:
New Job - There is actually a nice aroma that comes from the bathroom when you first open the door. I think it might be an air freshener. The toilets are clean, the floor is clean, and contrary to popular belief . . . there should not be scum around the faucets of the sink! Hold on to your hats ladies, but I'm pretty sure they employ a JANITOR!!!!!
Old Job - Is there really anything left to say???? Ok, how about hairs on the floor, scum on the sink, over-stuffed sanitary napkin dispensers. Yeah, you get the idea . . .

Supplies
New Job - My boss made sure my desk was stocked with everything she thought I'd need. I think her comment was "I got you four different kinds of highlighters because I wasn't sure what kind you would like." Uh, yeah . . .
Old Job - "Gee, I guess you probably need a calculator . . . and something to write with."
New Job - "If there is anything else you need, just let me know." So, I noticed that I didn't have a keyboard tray. So, my boss gave me the office supply catalog and I found a cheap one. I showed it to her and her response was - "well, we just ordered these desks, so let me get that company in here and they can fit something on for you." I said, "well, that sounds expensive and I don't want anything really fancy." Her reply was - "well, we want you to be comfortable."
Old Job - "If you need something that isn't in the supply cabinet, just let us know, but anything over $100 needs approval first." So, basically - don't order anything over $100. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little!)

My Boss
New Boss - On my first day she took me out to lunch to welcome me to the team - and she paid.
Old Boss - I don't think my boss ever took me out to lunch . . . no, really . . . in over six years I don't think she ever did! (ladies, am I wrong???)
New Boss - She is a workaholic!!! Just during my first week, I bet she put in 70 hours. She is there at sun-up and she doesn't leave until sun-down. It's slightly creepy.
Old Boss - Towards the end she was hardly there and during my last week, she wasn't there at all. (important vacation you know) For awhile she would leave at 3:00 every day. It was nice - you can't have everything better!!

Communication
New Job - On my first day my boss took me around to all the different departments and introduced me to people. They even sent out a memo to announce my arrival.
Old Job - I don't specifically remember being taken around the office, but I have seen others come through. This is basically how the word gets out . . . "hey, did you see that new girl?" "Yeah, who is she, and what does she do?" You ask around until you find someone that knows something.
New Job - They have an HR department that gives you an ORIENTATION on your first day.
Old Job - Ummm . . . there is one guy, and he doesn't really know much about HR. Out of 30+ employees, I don't think a single one had an orientation.

Alright, alright . . . I know what you're thinking . . . my old job couldn't possibly have been that bad. Perhaps I am a teensy bit bitter. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed JP up until the end . . . my new job definately has it's drawbacks. I am putting in more hours and it's really hard for me to start over. I just keep telling myself that I won't be the "new girl" forever.

This whole week I am reminded of a phrase that a good friend told me after she left JP . . .

"Life is good after Jones" Ya know what . . . . she was right.

Eight Years And Counting

Brian and I have known eachother since Junior High. He was the dorky kid with the feathered hair and glasses. I was the geek with the big nose and the weird name. The story behind how we first became friends and possibly more than friends is one surrounded by much debate. Since this is MY blog, I will tell MY version of the story . . .

My first memories of Brian are from Spanish class. He was Cisco and I was Coya. At that age the boys would harmlessly pick on the girls they liked and the girls would pretend like they were extremely annoyed. I really liked Brian and I thought that he liked me. For months I worked up the courage to "ask him out" and when I finally did . . . . he shot me down. (if you haven't guessed, this is where my version is slightly different from Brian's) He was already in love with another girl . . . . blah, blah, blah.

I was heart broken! Needless to say I wrote him off and for awhile I honestly thought he was kind of a jerk.

So, fast forward to our senior year in highschool. I had just broken up with my long-term boyfriend and really wasn't looking for any serious relationship. I wanted to have fun with the girls for a change! Then, out of nowhere, Brian comes along and asks me if I'd like to go out on a date with him. Honestly, I really hadn't thought much about the guy in those years since my broken heart . . . he completely caught me off guard and I didn't know what to say.


Well, I think you all know the answer . . . we began dating in October of 1995.

We were engaged on my 20th birthday (how young!) and were married two years later on June 10, 2000.

If someone would've told me 13 years ago that the dorky boy with the feathered hair would be my future husband I would've thought they were crazy.

Two kids and eight years later I am more in love with Brian now than I was then. Sometimes I truly wonder how the geeky girl with the big nose and weird name ever caught his eye. I guess in the end it doesn't matter, all I know is that I thank God every day for bringing him into my life all those years ago.

I love you Brian, happy anniversary.

Bella's Birthday Bash

I think I've discovered the secret to planning the perfect party. NO PLANNING AT ALL!!! Saturday afternoon we had an impromptu party for Bella. There was no worrying about what to feed people, no worrying about getting the house spotless, no worrying about how to entertain the guests. We called our families about two hours before we decided to throw a little get together and it worked out perfect. Brian ran to the store for eats while I tidied up the house a bit and before you knew it . . . the party began!

The weather even cooperated and the rain held off long enough for the kids to blow off some energy outside and for us to fire up the grill. Cousin Kenziee and Kadin lived it up in the sandbox, while Bella snuggled up to "Mamma". (She always calls Grandma "mamma" which I know sometimes people think she's referring to me, but she only calls me "mommy")

We were even crafty enough to turn a last-minute purchase of a graduation cake into Bella's birthday cake by sticking a My Little Pony on it!

After the rains came, we moved the party indoors to eat and have cake. Then it was on to opening the presents. I was really psyched for her to open our present because a long time ago I had purchased this tube and tent set for outside. I kept it hidden for Bella's birthday and I knew the kids would just go wild. I will definately get a better picture of it outside and in action because the kids have already played with it and it's a huge hit with the neighbors!

Of course after she unwrapped it, we HAD to take it out of the box! Our living room was consumed by tubes and tents!

We all had a great time eating, visiting and watching the kids be nutty hyper kids. I think Bella's face sums it up the best . . . . . . . .

The Story Of Isabella

It was early on a Wednesday morning sometime around 5 a.m. I started feeling cramps, similar to what you'd feel if you had to go to the bathroom - which is what I tried to do. It was five days before my due date and I wasn't thinking that I could possibly be going into labor. Kadin and Brian were still snoring away and after a failed attempt at using the bathroom I laid back down and tried to fall back to sleep.

About an hour later Kadin woke up. Brian gets up with him and leaves me to peacefully sleep longer - or so he thought. By 7 a.m. I was pretty sure this wasn't just a stomache ache and that we were going to meet our Isabella that day. I got up and told Brian that I thought I was in labor and that we should probably call the doctor. (having been through this before - there didn't seem the need for panic, we just camly did the things we needed to do) So I called the doctor and they told me to stay home until my contractions were three minutes apart for like a half hour or something . . . they basically said they didn't want me in now.

So we started calling around to take care of some things. I called in to work and Brian called our babysitter to make sure we could drop Kadin off there (Brian was actually supposed to watch Kadin that day because it was the first day of summer vacation!) Brian took care of feeding Kadin and getting him dressed while I hopped in the shower.

While in the shower I began to notice that these contractions were getting quite painful. They weren't quite three minutes apart yet, but I started to feel very uncomfortable. Something told me that we had to start to get going . . . and soon. I got out of the shower and told Brian to get Kadin's stuff together and get himself dressed because we needed to leave. He could hear the urgency in my voice, which I think scared him a little, so he started to quickly run around the house and get things. We finally packed up the car and headed to the babysitter's and on the way it was clear to me that things were farther along that I had thought.

A quick drop-off of Kadin and we were back on the road for the WORST trip I have ever taken in a car. I was in COMPLETE agony and it felt like the longest 35 minutes of my life. I called the hospital enroute and told them that we were coming.

We arrived at the hospital around 9:30 a.m. and I made the long trip from the car to the third floor, the whole time dreaming about the drugs I was going to get to take me out of this pain. We get to the room and I strip down into one of those lovely gowns and the nurses begin to muddle around and get things attached to me. Right away I inquire about those drugs, to which I'm told, "well let's check you first to see how far along you are."

The nurse does a check and discovers that I am already at 8 cm dilated. Instantly there was panic in the room . . . the nurse got on a phone and asked for back up . . . the room suddenly became flooded with people all scurrying around prepping things and moving things around, bringing in trays of this and that. In the middle of all the bustle I kindly asked again about my drugs . . . "oh, I'm sorry dear, but you're too far along already . . . he wouldn't even get here in time."

WHAT!!???!!?!?!? Oh, no . . . I did this once before with no drugs . . . there was NO WAY I was going to do that again . . . and what did she mean he wouldn't get there in time???? When I went to the hospital with Kadin I was there for almost 7 hours before he was born . . . I just got here!

I guess when they tell you that your labor with a second child can be a lot shorter . . . they are telling the truth. After two pushing contractions and a whopping six pushes . . . Isabella Ruth was born. It was 10:38 a.m, just over an hour since we had arrived at the hospital. She was 8 lbs 4 oz and she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

Bella at 6 months old

Bella at one year

Bella today

It was June 7, 2006 . . . the day I became a mother for the second time and learned that you can indeed love two children with your entire heart . . . the day Brian became a father for the second time and learned the true meaning of the phrase "Daddy's Little Girl" and the day that Kadin became a big brother and learned that he will want to protect his little sister for the rest of his life.

Happy Birthday Isabella! We've loved every minute!