Josh and I were just talking about his birthday and I asked him what he wanted for his birthday.
He started going through a list of items as fast as he could think of them (me keeping a mental note so that I have some ideas for Christmas). Then he said....
Josh: Mom...forget all that. The first thing I want is a hug and kiss from you and Dad. Okay?
Me: **tearing up** Of course, sweety. I think you'll get that anyway.
Josh: Mom...I really love you and Daddy.
Me: We love you, too, sweety.
Josh: Yeah...all I want is a kiss and a hug from you guys.
Josh: And Ella.
Me: What about Lauren?
Josh: Well. I guess.
T minus 3 days
In three days Dustin and I will officially be on vacation!!! Hallelujah!! Being on this side of a vacation is much better than being on the back end of it. Today I'm filled with hope and excitement as to what next week will bring. Next week I'll be filled with agony and dread as I count down the days of vacation, analyzing each and every activity I do and constantly saying, "That wasn't worth wasting a vacation day for." Why do we do it to ourselves?!?!?
This past weekend we had plans to get a bunch of housework done in anticipation of our vacation. I mean, who wants to spend time off from work working around the house? Apparently the stars were not aligned for cleaning, though. The weather was glum all day on Saturday and everyone was more excited to take a nap than to do any physical work. So we mostly slept on Saturday. Except for when we awoke to eat. But then we just went right back to bed again. ZZZZZZZZZZ! By four o'clock in the afternoon we decided that we should probably venture among the living.
I showered and everyone else got dressed and ready. We decided to stop at Best Buy and pick up Dustin's birthday present and then went out for dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. The sun finally came out and gave us enough energy to visit Larry and Toni after dinner. After a quick stop to pick up ice cream we were all back home and cuddled up watching a movie together. All in all, a pretty pleasant day.
Sunday was payback. We cleaned, laundered and mowed. Fun, fun and more fun.
I had the three kids down in the basement with me while I worked on laundry and cleaned. I vacuum down there every week and I swear those stupid spiders wait for me to put the vacuum away and then have a little web making party. It's never ending down there!!
Anyways, Josh spent the entire morning screaming at the site of each and every spider. Funny thing is...by the time I got a Kleenex and came back to the spider Lauren had already killed it. At first she stepped on them. Then she ran them over with her UPS truck. By the end she was pinching them(GROSS!!)...and Josh was still screaming.
Dustin took Josh and Lauren over to Larry and Toni's to mow their lawn on Sunday afternoon. It's a big lot but Dustin loves playing with mower so it all works out in the end.
With Dustin, Josh and Lauren gone...mommy and Ella enjoyed some quiet time!!!
Ella had her four month check up yesterday!! I told Dad before I left for her appointment that I was sure of two things: she's a big girl and she'd get shots. I was right on both accounts!!
She is up to 17 pounds, 12 ounces!!! She is also 25.75 inches long and healthy as can be!! Dr. Anderson said that she has excellent control of that big head of hers, she is perfectly proportioned, makes excellent eye contact and is obviously very sociable. Even though I knew all of that...it's nice to hear it from a doctor, too!! He was surprised that she was rolling around so early, given her size. I told her that she just whips one of those big thighs around and "FLIP", she's over!
The kids have so much fun encouraging her to do things. Of course now I think it's adorable...ask me again in a few years.
Every night I lay in bed and read my book before I go to sleep. A few weeks ago Lauren started laying in bed with me with her book before she fell asleep. Now last night Ella wanted in the fun!!
I think we need a bigger bed!!
This past weekend we had plans to get a bunch of housework done in anticipation of our vacation. I mean, who wants to spend time off from work working around the house? Apparently the stars were not aligned for cleaning, though. The weather was glum all day on Saturday and everyone was more excited to take a nap than to do any physical work. So we mostly slept on Saturday. Except for when we awoke to eat. But then we just went right back to bed again. ZZZZZZZZZZ! By four o'clock in the afternoon we decided that we should probably venture among the living.
I showered and everyone else got dressed and ready. We decided to stop at Best Buy and pick up Dustin's birthday present and then went out for dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. The sun finally came out and gave us enough energy to visit Larry and Toni after dinner. After a quick stop to pick up ice cream we were all back home and cuddled up watching a movie together. All in all, a pretty pleasant day.
Sunday was payback. We cleaned, laundered and mowed. Fun, fun and more fun.
I had the three kids down in the basement with me while I worked on laundry and cleaned. I vacuum down there every week and I swear those stupid spiders wait for me to put the vacuum away and then have a little web making party. It's never ending down there!!
Anyways, Josh spent the entire morning screaming at the site of each and every spider. Funny thing is...by the time I got a Kleenex and came back to the spider Lauren had already killed it. At first she stepped on them. Then she ran them over with her UPS truck. By the end she was pinching them(GROSS!!)...and Josh was still screaming.
Dustin took Josh and Lauren over to Larry and Toni's to mow their lawn on Sunday afternoon. It's a big lot but Dustin loves playing with mower so it all works out in the end.
With Dustin, Josh and Lauren gone...mommy and Ella enjoyed some quiet time!!!
Ella had her four month check up yesterday!! I told Dad before I left for her appointment that I was sure of two things: she's a big girl and she'd get shots. I was right on both accounts!!
She is up to 17 pounds, 12 ounces!!! She is also 25.75 inches long and healthy as can be!! Dr. Anderson said that she has excellent control of that big head of hers, she is perfectly proportioned, makes excellent eye contact and is obviously very sociable. Even though I knew all of that...it's nice to hear it from a doctor, too!! He was surprised that she was rolling around so early, given her size. I told her that she just whips one of those big thighs around and "FLIP", she's over!
The kids have so much fun encouraging her to do things. Of course now I think it's adorable...ask me again in a few years.
Every night I lay in bed and read my book before I go to sleep. A few weeks ago Lauren started laying in bed with me with her book before she fell asleep. Now last night Ella wanted in the fun!!
I think we need a bigger bed!!
Ella Bella
These shots were taken within seconds of eachother.
She was losing her patience with mommy. How quickly she turns from irritated to screaming. Too funny!!
I haven't done a post about my Ella in a few weeks so I figured I give you some updates.
Can you believe a year ago this past Sunday we found out she was coming?!?!? I can't believe it!! I know she's not even four months old but I can't even remember what life was like without her. Funny how quickly that happens.
When we got home from Wisconsin I put her on the floor while we unloaded the van. When I left to get another load she was on her back, I came back in and she was on her side and by the time I set everything down she was already on her tummy!! So now we can officially roll BOTH ways!!
She is working on a couple of teeth right now and we all live in Drool City. Between her acid reflux and the drool we go through about three outfits a day! (Thank God for washing machines!) She is working really hard at sitting up on her own!!
She is coo-ing all the time now. It is so funny to listen to her go on and on and on and on. I always respond to her as if we're having some conversation and I understand every word she's saying. The other night we were having our usual exchange and Josh said, "Mom, what did Ella just say?", I said, "She said she had a fun day today." He said, "No, she didn't!! She said she's tired of Lauren."
Can you tell the oldest two children aren't getting along very well right now?
Other than that, Ella is healthy, happy and growing by the day!
She was losing her patience with mommy. How quickly she turns from irritated to screaming. Too funny!!
I haven't done a post about my Ella in a few weeks so I figured I give you some updates.
Can you believe a year ago this past Sunday we found out she was coming?!?!? I can't believe it!! I know she's not even four months old but I can't even remember what life was like without her. Funny how quickly that happens.
When we got home from Wisconsin I put her on the floor while we unloaded the van. When I left to get another load she was on her back, I came back in and she was on her side and by the time I set everything down she was already on her tummy!! So now we can officially roll BOTH ways!!
She is working on a couple of teeth right now and we all live in Drool City. Between her acid reflux and the drool we go through about three outfits a day! (Thank God for washing machines!) She is working really hard at sitting up on her own!!
She is coo-ing all the time now. It is so funny to listen to her go on and on and on and on. I always respond to her as if we're having some conversation and I understand every word she's saying. The other night we were having our usual exchange and Josh said, "Mom, what did Ella just say?", I said, "She said she had a fun day today." He said, "No, she didn't!! She said she's tired of Lauren."
Can you tell the oldest two children aren't getting along very well right now?
Other than that, Ella is healthy, happy and growing by the day!
Latest Edition of "What's Ella Thinking?"
Here are my three guesses:
1) "Seriously, mother. You told me you got this at the Gap...but it looks more like something you got at Big Bird's garage sale."
2) "Mother, there are rules. Rules about what colors look good on women with red hair. Green...good. Neon orange and yellow....bad."
3) "Am I glowing?"
Past, Present, Future
The last time we had visited Pop-pop and Joyce, Lauren was about the size of a poppy seed and we had just found out she was coming only weeks before traveling there. Needless to say...our trip this weekend was long overdue.
We ended up leaving the house around 5:30 on Saturday morning. The kids were a little reluctant to get up, as were we, but as soon as they realized we were leaving to see Pop-pop they were excited to start the road trip.
The trip up wasn't the greatest. Lauren was in no mood to be traveling about the time we crossed into Wisconsin and, given the fact I hadn't had my coffee yet, it got a little hairy. But we made it. All in one piece. And were joyfully welcomed by Pop-pop, Joyce and Aunt Grace.
We visited for awhile, ate some lunch and I taught Josh how to play checkers. By mid-afternoon we were all ready for a quick nap so we headed to our hotel and rested our eyes for a bit.
Our family is small. But I don't think many realize exactly how small our family is. The Bruni side of the family consists of my children, my brother and me, my mother and aunt and my Grandfather. That's it. The only other two people still living that are on our family tree are Grace (Pop-pop's brother, Milton, was married to Grace) and Viola (Viola's mother-in-law was Pop-pop's aunt). Like I said...they are on our family tree but you've got to go through quite a few branches to reach them. ;-)
Saturday night we picked Grace up and headed out to Viola's farm. Grace was in love with Ella and kept asking how "her little dolly" was. Ella, of course, smiled and laughed each time she spoke to her. Viola is a sharp woman, even at 88. They both are extremely sincere and generous - in every sense of the word.
The kids had a blast at the farm. After being tied down in the van they were ready to run free. Besides chasing all the farm cats, they had fun exploring the old farm.
I kept telling Pop-pop that I remembered being there before. I remembered the yellow siding and the sidewalk around the house. I remembered getting gold flecked swizzle sticks. And I remember there being a dog. But I was young. Younger than Josh. He couldn't remember...but tonight my mom confirmed it. My what a difference twenty-five years make.
After visiting at the farm for awhile we all headed out to a nice dinner at the Iron Ridge Inn. The older I get the more I appreciate my family's history. The stories I've heard over and over again as a child have more meaning to me now. And it was an honor to share a meal with such a group of people.
After dinner we drove past the old cheese factory. The factory where my grandfather grew up. And where the Bruni's made a name for themselves in America.
Pretty amazing to be where it all began.
And then it was Sunday.
We got up and went to church together. It's always special to worship with family. I only wish I could worship with my Grandfather every Sunday. You should all be lucky enough to hear him sing. That voice. I remember even as a child how much I loved to hear him sing. I pray I never forget it.
We went back to their house after church and Josh challenged Joyce to a game of checkers - using his rules of course.
After lunch it was already time to leave.
After saying our good-byes we only had one more good-bye to say and that was to my late grandmother. On our way out of town we stopped at her grave. I started to cry as soon as we pulled in. Josh asked why I was sad. I told him that I was sad for so many reasons all of which were selfish. I wish I could have known her. I wish I knew what kind of woman, wife and mother she was. I wish she could hug my children and experience the joy of great-grandchildren...and grandchildren, for that matter.
My grandparents lost two babies and they are each buried next to her. I cannot imagine her loss and so I imagine she was a very strong woman. She was a very skilled nurse so I imagine she was very smart. I recently looked through a baby book she made for my mother and it was evident how much she loved her children.
If only I could have known her.
A mere four hours later and we were back where we began.
We ended up leaving the house around 5:30 on Saturday morning. The kids were a little reluctant to get up, as were we, but as soon as they realized we were leaving to see Pop-pop they were excited to start the road trip.
The trip up wasn't the greatest. Lauren was in no mood to be traveling about the time we crossed into Wisconsin and, given the fact I hadn't had my coffee yet, it got a little hairy. But we made it. All in one piece. And were joyfully welcomed by Pop-pop, Joyce and Aunt Grace.
We visited for awhile, ate some lunch and I taught Josh how to play checkers. By mid-afternoon we were all ready for a quick nap so we headed to our hotel and rested our eyes for a bit.
Our family is small. But I don't think many realize exactly how small our family is. The Bruni side of the family consists of my children, my brother and me, my mother and aunt and my Grandfather. That's it. The only other two people still living that are on our family tree are Grace (Pop-pop's brother, Milton, was married to Grace) and Viola (Viola's mother-in-law was Pop-pop's aunt). Like I said...they are on our family tree but you've got to go through quite a few branches to reach them. ;-)
Saturday night we picked Grace up and headed out to Viola's farm. Grace was in love with Ella and kept asking how "her little dolly" was. Ella, of course, smiled and laughed each time she spoke to her. Viola is a sharp woman, even at 88. They both are extremely sincere and generous - in every sense of the word.
The kids had a blast at the farm. After being tied down in the van they were ready to run free. Besides chasing all the farm cats, they had fun exploring the old farm.
I kept telling Pop-pop that I remembered being there before. I remembered the yellow siding and the sidewalk around the house. I remembered getting gold flecked swizzle sticks. And I remember there being a dog. But I was young. Younger than Josh. He couldn't remember...but tonight my mom confirmed it. My what a difference twenty-five years make.
After visiting at the farm for awhile we all headed out to a nice dinner at the Iron Ridge Inn. The older I get the more I appreciate my family's history. The stories I've heard over and over again as a child have more meaning to me now. And it was an honor to share a meal with such a group of people.
After dinner we drove past the old cheese factory. The factory where my grandfather grew up. And where the Bruni's made a name for themselves in America.
Pretty amazing to be where it all began.
And then it was Sunday.
We got up and went to church together. It's always special to worship with family. I only wish I could worship with my Grandfather every Sunday. You should all be lucky enough to hear him sing. That voice. I remember even as a child how much I loved to hear him sing. I pray I never forget it.
We went back to their house after church and Josh challenged Joyce to a game of checkers - using his rules of course.
After lunch it was already time to leave.
After saying our good-byes we only had one more good-bye to say and that was to my late grandmother. On our way out of town we stopped at her grave. I started to cry as soon as we pulled in. Josh asked why I was sad. I told him that I was sad for so many reasons all of which were selfish. I wish I could have known her. I wish I knew what kind of woman, wife and mother she was. I wish she could hug my children and experience the joy of great-grandchildren...and grandchildren, for that matter.
My grandparents lost two babies and they are each buried next to her. I cannot imagine her loss and so I imagine she was a very strong woman. She was a very skilled nurse so I imagine she was very smart. I recently looked through a baby book she made for my mother and it was evident how much she loved her children.
If only I could have known her.
A mere four hours later and we were back where we began.
Prayer Request
Dustin's father is in surgery right now. Prayers for him and his family would be greatly appreciated.
Dance like nobody's watchin'
I remember the days when I began planning Josh's birthday parties several months in advance. I would scour the depths of the Internet for the most perfect of themes. I would send out invitations a month in advance. I would make the cake. I would make all the food. I would decorate like a mad woman. Ahhh...those were the days.
Last night we're driving home and out of the blue I get this thought, "Oh my God...Josh's birthday is coming up!" So I hollered back to the boy...
Me: Hey! Josh! What do you want to do for your birthday?
Josh: Ummm...I don't know. Why is it coming soon?
Me: Well, kind of. But we've got to start planning this thing or mommy will forget and you won't get to have a party. **giggling**
Josh: **GASP** WHAT?!?
Me: I'm just kidding. What do you want to do? Do you want a family party or just a friend party?
Josh: A friend party.
Me: Okay...what do you want to do with your friends?
Josh: Um...let me think about it.
15 minutes later...
Josh: Mom...I know what I want to do with my friends.
Me: Okay?
Josh: I want to go to PlanetX....and then the Police Station.
Me: Too bad we're not rednecks because I think most of their parties end up there anyways.
I'm seriously hoping that he is just going through some sort of "law enforcement" stage.
When we get home most nights the kids run off and play and Ella comes in the kitchen with me and watches me make dinner. Last night was no exception. Only this time...I brought my iPod, too.
Imagine it now...water boiling over, chicken browning in a fry pan and me dancing like it's 1999! What a hoot!! I'm not kidding, that girl laughed at me until she puked, literally.
We had a little dance party right there in the kitchen. Sure the pasta was over-cooked and the chicken was charred but Ella and I had a blast!!
I had arranged a little birthday party for the boss at the office for today. He's turning 60 tomorrow and you know I don't need much excuse to give someone a hard time. So, with a little help, I tracked down his senior picture and had it put on a cake.
Given today's economy, and the fact people are losing their jobs left and right, I decided to show some restraint and not buy the highly inappropriate gag gifts I found and figured there was no use in giving my boss any further reason to give me the ol' "heave ho".
My mortgage company thanks me for my restraint, I'm sure.
Last night we're driving home and out of the blue I get this thought, "Oh my God...Josh's birthday is coming up!" So I hollered back to the boy...
Me: Hey! Josh! What do you want to do for your birthday?
Josh: Ummm...I don't know. Why is it coming soon?
Me: Well, kind of. But we've got to start planning this thing or mommy will forget and you won't get to have a party. **giggling**
Josh: **GASP** WHAT?!?
Me: I'm just kidding. What do you want to do? Do you want a family party or just a friend party?
Josh: A friend party.
Me: Okay...what do you want to do with your friends?
Josh: Um...let me think about it.
15 minutes later...
Josh: Mom...I know what I want to do with my friends.
Me: Okay?
Josh: I want to go to PlanetX....and then the Police Station.
Me: Too bad we're not rednecks because I think most of their parties end up there anyways.
I'm seriously hoping that he is just going through some sort of "law enforcement" stage.
When we get home most nights the kids run off and play and Ella comes in the kitchen with me and watches me make dinner. Last night was no exception. Only this time...I brought my iPod, too.
Imagine it now...water boiling over, chicken browning in a fry pan and me dancing like it's 1999! What a hoot!! I'm not kidding, that girl laughed at me until she puked, literally.
We had a little dance party right there in the kitchen. Sure the pasta was over-cooked and the chicken was charred but Ella and I had a blast!!
I had arranged a little birthday party for the boss at the office for today. He's turning 60 tomorrow and you know I don't need much excuse to give someone a hard time. So, with a little help, I tracked down his senior picture and had it put on a cake.
Given today's economy, and the fact people are losing their jobs left and right, I decided to show some restraint and not buy the highly inappropriate gag gifts I found and figured there was no use in giving my boss any further reason to give me the ol' "heave ho".
My mortgage company thanks me for my restraint, I'm sure.
History
I am only in the beginning of reading Night. Most books of this length take me a weekend to read, a week at most.
This one is different. It is such a powerful book that I find I can only handle a few pages a night.
It is a beautifully written autobiography of a Holocaust survivor. It is horrific and has brought me nightmares. Yet it is so amazing that I can't help but recommend it to others.
This one is different. It is such a powerful book that I find I can only handle a few pages a night.
It is a beautifully written autobiography of a Holocaust survivor. It is horrific and has brought me nightmares. Yet it is so amazing that I can't help but recommend it to others.
Light em' if ya got em'!
Let me start off by saying I hope that everyone had a relaxing and safe Fourth of July!!
I had to work on Friday morning so Dustin was alone with the kids until noon. Apparently, the kids were in the mood to create some excitement because two of our children (who shall remain nameless) decided to dial 9-1-1. At first Josh swore that he didn't do it but it didn't take long to figure out that his original statement was merely a case of "technicality". He dialed the 9...and pointed to show Lauren what to push after that.
Dustin called and said the kids had just gotten him in trouble. I asked what happened and after he told me what happened, what the dispatcher said to him when she called back and, finally, what he said to our kids after the entire ordeal, I told him that I find it hysterical that the children never seem to do these outrageous things while I'm home alone with them (which is 99.9% of the time). He told me to "buzz off" in his most loving of tones and that was that.
I met him and the kids for lunch and we had a nice long discussion about the proper uses for 9-1-1. Is there blood? Okay. Is someone not breathing? Okay. Is there fire? Okay. Is there a stranger in the house? Okay. Is there nothing else to do and you want to get your younger sister in trouble? NOT Okay.
I think we got the point across. If not...next time they'll NEED 9-1-1.
Lauren is learning new words every day and a new one last week was "fart". Oh boy...the giggles a two year old will get when she screams "fart". Entire restaurants will laugh and older brothers think it's hy-ster-i-cal!
(It is also important, for purposes of this story only, to know that when she has gone #2 she calls it an "ewww-ie".)
So while we're eating lunch on Friday I hear Lauren fart. I say, "Lauren? Did you fart?"
She sniffs (which is hysterical in and of itself), puts her finger under her nose and says, "Ewwww. Daddy ewww-ied!"
OMG! We died laughing. Even a two year old has figured out who to blame if she accidentally passes gas. What a toot...I mean, hoot! ;-)
After lunch we went and got our library cards. Josh was so excited and I am so glad he enjoys reading. Last night he read, "Mommy, I love you", to us. He kept telling me that he didn't know where the Marion Public Library was but that it was blue and had wood. When I pulled up he said, "Mom!! This is the Marion Public Library!" Too cute! I love how it's not just a library...it's the MARION PUBLIC Library!
Friday night we went over to Larry and Toni's to play with Reagan (and of course visit with Gretchen and Adam, too). Josh got to read to Ella and show Reagan a little magic with a Rubix Cube.
Saturday morning we decided to brave the rain and drizzle and take the kids downtown for the Kid's Parade and Farmer's Market. It was wet, but fun.
I work downtown every day but to see the flag lined streets, the courthouse and the rest of the island close up impressed the kids and even me!
The coolest thing we got to do was have a gentleman make balloons for the kids. The two men were very talented and every child in line patiently waited and watched in awe as these men made amazing pieces of art!
Josh was amazed by what these men could create. As he was watching the gentleman make Lauren a butterfly he blurted out, "Wow...it's magic." The gentleman looked at Josh and said, "Thank you, my friend."
Afterwards, I told Josh that he gave the gentleman such a wonderful compliment with his comment. I explained to him that the gentleman genuinely appreciated it - hoping to use that exchange as a little lesson in the power of words. I told him that I was certain he made the gentleman's day. He said, "You think, mommy? He sure made mine!" At that moment I looked over at Lauren and she was kissing her butterfly over and over and over again and I began to cry.
I'm not sure why.
Maybe it was because there is no greater joy in my life than to see my own children filled with such pure joy. Maybe it was because I saw them look at their little "balloon creations" with the same adoring amazement I have when I look at them. It was one of those moments as a parent when the love for your child is so powerful that it is physically painful. They were tears of joy, I guess. And right there under the umbrella of an old oak tree I had a moment in my life that I will never forget.
By the time we got back to the van we were all soaked and the kids were wiped. Lauren made it about four blocks and she was out...mid-Tootsie roll.
Saturday afternoon was filled with naps and me hanging the newest photos of our children. Of course I ended up spending more than I had originally intended. But, I guess that is one of the down sides of having beautiful children. ;-)
Dustin and I decided that instead of sitting in hours of traffic while waiting to exit the fireworks with the rest of Cedar Rapids, we would light the rest of the fireworks Dad gave us in the comforts of our own backyard. And even though they were pretty much only glorified sparkers, they were pretty and sparkly...and that's all that mattered.
The display was prefaced with a round of smores (and plain chocolate for Lauren) and we all patiently waited for them to begin.
Well...most of us.
At the end Josh says, "DAD! That wasn't much of a grand finale!" Every group's got a critic.
Sunday morning we got up and went to church and then out to breakfast. After a weekend of playing the inevitable pile of household chores awaited our return. After dragging our feet for most of the morning we headed home. For some reason Dustin thought it would be a good idea to complete the installation of the birthday gift from my father: a kitchen faucet. By my own father's admission this gift was really more for him (when he's here visiting) than it was for me.
Our old faucet lacked a spray nozzle. It also took NASA-like precision to shut off completely. Aside from the obvious technical problems, it was also not very pretty.
After living in our house for more than five years (and after many, many, many home improvement projects), Dustin and I always get the same nasty feeling in our stomach right before starting an improvement project. You know that feeling you get when you realize you're in too deep and it's too late to turn back because you've jumped in with both feet. Yeah, that feeling.
But that's not all. By mid-project we each have splitting headaches and hyper-sensitive levels of agitation, as if we were nursing a hangover from an all-night binge drinking session. Except in our case, all the fun had during the all-night binge drinking is replaced with Dora the Explorer on repeat and Fruit Punch Kool-Aid.
This project was like all the others: took twice as long, children aggravated already thin nerves and worth it in the end.
Four hours later, two trips to the hardware store and several cuss words directed to the builders of our house, we had a new faucet...and no leaks.
Isn't she beautiful?
As Dustin and I prepare our wish list of items in our new house we have added yet another item: water shut-off valves at each water source.
Aren't we picky?
I had to work on Friday morning so Dustin was alone with the kids until noon. Apparently, the kids were in the mood to create some excitement because two of our children (who shall remain nameless) decided to dial 9-1-1. At first Josh swore that he didn't do it but it didn't take long to figure out that his original statement was merely a case of "technicality". He dialed the 9...and pointed to show Lauren what to push after that.
Dustin called and said the kids had just gotten him in trouble. I asked what happened and after he told me what happened, what the dispatcher said to him when she called back and, finally, what he said to our kids after the entire ordeal, I told him that I find it hysterical that the children never seem to do these outrageous things while I'm home alone with them (which is 99.9% of the time). He told me to "buzz off" in his most loving of tones and that was that.
I met him and the kids for lunch and we had a nice long discussion about the proper uses for 9-1-1. Is there blood? Okay. Is someone not breathing? Okay. Is there fire? Okay. Is there a stranger in the house? Okay. Is there nothing else to do and you want to get your younger sister in trouble? NOT Okay.
I think we got the point across. If not...next time they'll NEED 9-1-1.
Lauren is learning new words every day and a new one last week was "fart". Oh boy...the giggles a two year old will get when she screams "fart". Entire restaurants will laugh and older brothers think it's hy-ster-i-cal!
(It is also important, for purposes of this story only, to know that when she has gone #2 she calls it an "ewww-ie".)
So while we're eating lunch on Friday I hear Lauren fart. I say, "Lauren? Did you fart?"
She sniffs (which is hysterical in and of itself), puts her finger under her nose and says, "Ewwww. Daddy ewww-ied!"
OMG! We died laughing. Even a two year old has figured out who to blame if she accidentally passes gas. What a toot...I mean, hoot! ;-)
After lunch we went and got our library cards. Josh was so excited and I am so glad he enjoys reading. Last night he read, "Mommy, I love you", to us. He kept telling me that he didn't know where the Marion Public Library was but that it was blue and had wood. When I pulled up he said, "Mom!! This is the Marion Public Library!" Too cute! I love how it's not just a library...it's the MARION PUBLIC Library!
Friday night we went over to Larry and Toni's to play with Reagan (and of course visit with Gretchen and Adam, too). Josh got to read to Ella and show Reagan a little magic with a Rubix Cube.
Saturday morning we decided to brave the rain and drizzle and take the kids downtown for the Kid's Parade and Farmer's Market. It was wet, but fun.
I work downtown every day but to see the flag lined streets, the courthouse and the rest of the island close up impressed the kids and even me!
The coolest thing we got to do was have a gentleman make balloons for the kids. The two men were very talented and every child in line patiently waited and watched in awe as these men made amazing pieces of art!
Josh was amazed by what these men could create. As he was watching the gentleman make Lauren a butterfly he blurted out, "Wow...it's magic." The gentleman looked at Josh and said, "Thank you, my friend."
Afterwards, I told Josh that he gave the gentleman such a wonderful compliment with his comment. I explained to him that the gentleman genuinely appreciated it - hoping to use that exchange as a little lesson in the power of words. I told him that I was certain he made the gentleman's day. He said, "You think, mommy? He sure made mine!" At that moment I looked over at Lauren and she was kissing her butterfly over and over and over again and I began to cry.
I'm not sure why.
Maybe it was because there is no greater joy in my life than to see my own children filled with such pure joy. Maybe it was because I saw them look at their little "balloon creations" with the same adoring amazement I have when I look at them. It was one of those moments as a parent when the love for your child is so powerful that it is physically painful. They were tears of joy, I guess. And right there under the umbrella of an old oak tree I had a moment in my life that I will never forget.
By the time we got back to the van we were all soaked and the kids were wiped. Lauren made it about four blocks and she was out...mid-Tootsie roll.
Saturday afternoon was filled with naps and me hanging the newest photos of our children. Of course I ended up spending more than I had originally intended. But, I guess that is one of the down sides of having beautiful children. ;-)
Dustin and I decided that instead of sitting in hours of traffic while waiting to exit the fireworks with the rest of Cedar Rapids, we would light the rest of the fireworks Dad gave us in the comforts of our own backyard. And even though they were pretty much only glorified sparkers, they were pretty and sparkly...and that's all that mattered.
The display was prefaced with a round of smores (and plain chocolate for Lauren) and we all patiently waited for them to begin.
Well...most of us.
At the end Josh says, "DAD! That wasn't much of a grand finale!" Every group's got a critic.
Sunday morning we got up and went to church and then out to breakfast. After a weekend of playing the inevitable pile of household chores awaited our return. After dragging our feet for most of the morning we headed home. For some reason Dustin thought it would be a good idea to complete the installation of the birthday gift from my father: a kitchen faucet. By my own father's admission this gift was really more for him (when he's here visiting) than it was for me.
Our old faucet lacked a spray nozzle. It also took NASA-like precision to shut off completely. Aside from the obvious technical problems, it was also not very pretty.
After living in our house for more than five years (and after many, many, many home improvement projects), Dustin and I always get the same nasty feeling in our stomach right before starting an improvement project. You know that feeling you get when you realize you're in too deep and it's too late to turn back because you've jumped in with both feet. Yeah, that feeling.
But that's not all. By mid-project we each have splitting headaches and hyper-sensitive levels of agitation, as if we were nursing a hangover from an all-night binge drinking session. Except in our case, all the fun had during the all-night binge drinking is replaced with Dora the Explorer on repeat and Fruit Punch Kool-Aid.
This project was like all the others: took twice as long, children aggravated already thin nerves and worth it in the end.
Four hours later, two trips to the hardware store and several cuss words directed to the builders of our house, we had a new faucet...and no leaks.
Isn't she beautiful?
As Dustin and I prepare our wish list of items in our new house we have added yet another item: water shut-off valves at each water source.
Aren't we picky?
