Not Me! Monday

Here we are again, on Monday (my new favorite day of the week) and this wonderful denial of truth.  First, I need so praise the Lord for the birth of the beautiful and completely healthy Stellan (MckMama's little man). Go to her website and read about it, but bring some kleenex! 

I did not shriek last night (while going to the bathroom) that tomorrow is monday and scare my husband with the late night screaming!

I did not LOVE watching my boys trick-or-treating and sprinting from house to house because they were excited for the treats and because they WERE batman and robin (not Jonah and Elijah)

I did not LOVE hearing Elijah say "Robin, the boy wonder" as he ran from house to house (apparently this is a phrase from the old school batman cartoons that the boys saw when I checked it out from the library)

I did not put off putting my boys down for a nap in order to write this post.

I did not just break 3 plates reaching over the dishwasher to put them away because instead of closing the dishwasher and then doing it I pushed them and they flew through the back of the cabinet (you can open it on the other side by the table) and landed on the floor

I did not also proceed to pick the largest broken piece and throw it on the floor because I have not always wanted to do that and decided why not since I have to clean it up anyway

I did not eat at least 4 little chocolate bars from the Halloween stash while writing this post

I did not cry, again, when Jonah saw a little outfit I had bought for our friends new baby girl and asked excitedly if that was for the baby sister that Jesus was going to bring him.

I did not let my boys eat candy corn, peanuts, and fruit snacks for breakfast once this week

I did not spend 3 hours cleaning like a mad woman on Friday because 1) my husband had requested it and 2) I realized people would see it when they were trick-or-treating!

I did not let the boys stay up until 1030 on Halloween because when we came home from my parents house I decided it would be more fun to have a glowstick light show in the dark living room instead of going to bed.

Lovin' this weather in NOVEMBER!

Do you know that it is 66 degrees F in Grand Forks right now?????  The boys and I spent the morning inside playing, doing chores, etc and I was completely shocked when we headed out the door for a quick trip to the library to discover this beautiful weather.  It is pretty windy so I just guessed it was chilly.  We made the trip to the library quick (we needed to return and check out new books) so we could enjoy the beautiful day. 

***Warning: Tangent:  Here is a little part of a conversation between Jonah and I at the library. I warned them this was going to be a very little trip (usually we spend a good couple of hours there) and told them when I say it is time to go they need to say yes mom and come right away without whining. We practiced in the car and this is how it went...

Me: "Ok boys, when I say it's time to go what do you say?"

Elijah: "Yes mom, me coming"  (love this little man)

Jonah: "Okay, here's the deal mom, I will say in a minute..

Me: "Jonah, no! When I say it's time to go you need to say yes mom."

Jonah: "Mom, don't you know that in a minute is Spanish for Yes mom, I am coming right now, and I am going to obey you the first time?"

Me: "I don't think so Jonah."

Jonah: "Ok, maybe it isn't Spanish. But, that is what it means!

***End of tangent****

So when we got home Jonah wanted to have a picnic in the backyard. So, while I was making lunch he and Elijah pulled their little camping chairs outside and one for me. Needless to say, nap will be a little late today because it may very well be snowing tomorrow and we won't see this weather again until may!

If our lovely internet lets me I will post some pics later of our super picnic and this fantabulous weather. 

I love my house

At least once a day I have declared that I "love my house." It is not "finished" in the sense that we need to finish the trim, hang things on the walls, and finish unpacking boxes that are hiding in closed closets (that haunt me when I walk by but that I choose to ignore) and organize the office (which has turned into a pseudo storage room.  However, last night Richard and I were looking at some old photos/videos (making us miss Iowa and our last home) and I realized of all the rooms in our house, the living room has received the largest "makeover" I think.  I am sure the previous owners would feel more has changed, but it was kind of fun to see what we have done. 

It is slightly overwhelming to think about all we have left to do, but fun at the same time to think about getting more boxes unpacked and things organized and put away.  I would love to have things done by December but I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Here are some before and after pics. The first ones are just of the boys' room after. Then the before pic is on the left and the after on the right. 

The boys' room right after Richard put the bunkbeds together!

Looking from the kitchen to the living room (front door) before and after

Before...                                     and After!

Love my console table and mirror! Thanks honey!

Before...                                     and After!

Another after view of the living room

Caramel Apples

At MOPS last week we got to make Caramel Apples! I was so excited! What a fun treat for the season and I had wanted to do this for awhile but no one else did so I had given up on the idea. We dipped our apples in the caramel and then in chocolate chips, sprinkles, toffee pieces, or nuts. It was lots of fun and I enjoyed it so much that I made about 30 more to give to family and friends the next day! Hopefully they were good! It was truly a blessing to get to make this fun treat and give it away! The best part was it was so easy.

Not me! Monday

I LOVE MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a big week for MckMama (the creator of this fantabulous carnival) as her little man will make his debut this week. Pray for them if you get a chance and check out their website for details! Because I had to work the weekend and monday night I am late writing this and unfortunately won't be able to link it back. Oh well! maybe next week!


-I did not stay up late watching Iron Man with Richard when I should have been going to bed because I was sick. Nope. I did not even like the movie, nope why would I like that kind of movie!!!

- I did not get angry when I washed some super cute rugs that were in our kitchen and entry way when they bled together in the wash and came out pink instead of the reds, oranges, and greens that they were before. I did not get angry because I know I washed them with cold water and they came out steaming hot! I did not also thank him for reminding me that a ruined rug is not the end of the world!

-I certainly didn't tell my husband 1 million times that "my throat hurts soooo bad" for 3 days straight.

-I did not laugh at my children when they screamed bloody murder from the bathtub (of course I was scared someone got very hurt) when I discovered it was because Elijah had pooped in the tub again and Jonah was so grossed out he was crying hysterically and Elijah was crying like that only because Jonah was! Nope cause that would be immature and insensitive.

-I did not make my husband swear to make me join a fitness center next week and hide ice cream from me while eating an extra large bowl of ice cream

-I did not start writing this blog earlier in the week for fear I would forget all these wonderful tings I didn't do

-I was not a control freak about my child wearing his Halloween costume everywhere and then later realize how silly this was and give in

-I did not sleep all day yesterday (after working twelve hour nights) planning on getting up early to get some stuff done and then decide sleep sounded like more fun!

-I did not let my children eat left over popcorn for breakfast twice last week after Richard and I had made it the night before for a movie

-I did not get just a little jealous when one of my wonderful friends had a beautiful baby girl last week! Nope!

-I did not wish numerous times this week that I also posessed super powers like the boys thought they had while running around the house in their costumes. Like super cleaning powers, super cooking powers, super put-everything-away-that-is-still-in-boxes super powers, and super decorating powers! 'Cause that will happen!

A great race, superheroes at bedtime and the first snow

Yesterday we headed to Jamestown to watch Laura run at the state Cross Country race and she did amazing! She had her best race this season and her best finish. It was so fun to be there for this and watch her run. We have enjoyed traveling to her different races and cheering on Red River. Jonah and Elijah were running around after the race and having me and Grandma yell "Go Jonah, Go Elijah and Go Riders!" (Laura's school is the Red River Roughriders). She did her best and enjoyed her last high school race. We are so proud of you Laura! I feel bad I have missed out on so many years being down in Iowa so I am hoping to make up some lost time this year and maybe next year if she goes to UND ;0)

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If you are scared at night you may want to come sleep at our house. Elijah has been literally living in his costume (robin from batman) since it arrived and then Grandma discovered some power ranger costumes from when we were little and that has been a saving grace. I fought to let him wear it so much at first (as it is already tearing) but realized this wasn't a battle worth fighting. I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it already and it is not even Halloween! The only exception is he has to take it off to eat and go out in public (mostly because it is too short and it is so cold out). We were able to compromise and he was ok with just wearing the belt of the costume on top of his clothes. I have to admit, I love hearing the two of them running around the house saving me from the Joker and other bad guys from batman. I am so thankful that God has given them such vivid imaginations! I think I will keep my eyes out for discounted costumes after Halloween to add to our "costume box." I am cherishing the days of hearing "robin to the rescue" and "nananana nananana batman" throughout the house. I already can't believe I will have a four year old soon! I don't even want to think about them getting much older. How great would it be if you could just put a costume on and make all your worries go away? If anyone ever finds a super mom costume let me know. I might have to invest in it for days when I am dragging and dreading my housework and other adult responsibilities. Anyone want to take bets as to how long after Halloween the costumes will be worn????

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Today we had our first snow of the year! We woke up to beautiful white fluffy flakes falling (or more like blowing) to the ground. I got a picture of it and by the time we were heading to church it was quite a bit. However, when we left church the sun had made its appearance and melted it all away. We had one pretty disappointed little man on our hands (Jonah) who was ready to dig out his winter boots, snow pants, and sled this morning when the grass was lightly dusted with snow! I explained to him that there would be plenty of snow up here in North Dakota for him to play in and he just had to be patient. Iowa City did see quite a bit of snow last winter, but I am sure we will beat that up here in the arctic! Until then I am cherishing every day that I can go outside with just my sweatshirt or fleece and be comfortable!

Happy Birthday Nikki

Today is my sister's golden birthday! We had a wonderful time this past weekend when she flew in and surprised Tom for his birthday. It went fast, but it was great to see her. She is in Idaho for 12 weeks for OT school. We can't wait to have her back. I did get to call and wish her a happy birthday. Too bad we wasted so much time when we were younger fighting instead of growing closer. She is one of my best friends and I don't know what I would do without her. I love watching her with my boys and spending time together. Happy Birthday Nikki and we love you! (I was hoping to post some fun pictures, but our super speedy internet is preventing that!). Maybe later!

***Here are some fun pics from their combo bday celebration!