update

I talked to Jack today!  He didn't speak in anything less than a screech and I think you could count the number of times he took a breath during the entire conversation on one hand.  The kid is seriously excited and running on super speed mode!  Yesterday was Hollywood Studios and today, the Magic Kingdom.  He couldn't stop gushing about the fact that they would be going on Splash Mountain tonight, and he bragged that they already went on Space Mountain.  And he wasn't even scared. In their spare time he has enjoyed swimming at the pool down the street from Grandma and Grandpa's and chasing tiny lizards around.  Though he hasn't successfully caught one yet, he plans on doing so before he leaves.  I am so excited for him!  He is having a grand time and doesn't even have time to miss us:)  His mom is doing okay ... but can't say that she doesn't think about him all the time. :)

the 80's called...

Aunt Hiedi and Uncle Chris dropped this little jacket off for Isaac during our heat wave a few weeks ago.  I wasn't sure we'd get a chance to wear it but never fear! We live in the north woods!  While my initial thought this morning was 'grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr' when I saw the snow, I see it will likely melt later today.  The colder weather gives Zeekie a chance to sport this little number! (And at least then I don't have to go water that patch of grass we are trying to re-grow by the garage addition today!)

As we were shooting this picture... the 80's called and they said they want their coat back.  Then Antarctica called.  I immediately agreed to send the snow back their way. As for the coat, I don't think so.

hot dogs and easter eggs

As I mentioned in the last post, Jenny and the kids came up for a long weekend both to visit us and to take Jack back to Milwaukee with them. Our kids play so nicely- they are best friends. You should see the way that they greet each other after weeks of not seeing each other. Priceless. We like to show them a little of what life in the north woods is like when they are up here, and at their request, we had a campfire lunch one day. I think the marshmallows were everyone's favorite part.

Then that evening we decorated and dyed Easter eggs together.  It was pretty special because Elaina and Carter had never done it before.  All in all we had about the same number of 'spider webbed' aka dropped and broken eggs as intact eggs.  The kids had fun anyways.

And the littlest boys are beginning to acknowledge each other.  It looks like Isaac is the little instigator in this instance, but Brady who is about 4 months older, was usually the one doing the poking and prodding:) Once they both start crawling, they will be a force to be reckoned with!

Florida or bust!

My little boy is off on one of the biggest adventures he has known thus far. Last night he left on the first neck of his trip- a car ride to Milwaukee.  Before he knows it, Grandma is going to swoop in, scoop him up and fly him down to Florida for a whole week of warm weather, swim trunks, Disney, Legoland and a whole bunch of spoiling from Grandma and Grandpa.  We have been preparing on Youtube so had kind of an idea of what to expect and anxiously marking off the days on his calendar.  I could see the excitement, anticipation, and a teeny bit of nervousness in his eyes as we whittled down that last week on paper. 

I bet Jenny loves that her rear end is in this picture... at least it is a nice one:)

Once he is down there, he will probably not miss us much but our good-byes yesterday were dotted with tears, hugs, and reassurance (for me as much as him...  He may be 7, but he is still my baby!)  He made sure he had his pictures of daddy and Isaac (who he proclaimed to be his best friend in the world, ever) and tearfully held onto my hand as I gave him his final hug and backed out of the car so he wouldn't see his mommy get teary too.  Jenny called 20 minutes down the road just to let me know that once they were 2 minutes out he was just fine.  He called when they got to Milwaukee later that night to let me know they arrived safely, and let me know he had found some of the first surprises I had left for him in his bag. 

And talk about a great sister... she planned her visit to us for this weekend so she could take Jack back to Milwaukee with her and saved us a trip and a whole lot of time:)

Michelin Man

I couldn't resist sharing this picture of my nephew, Owen.  When Abby was changing him out of his church clothes last week, Macie commented how he looked like the Michelin Man. (He is the same length as Isaac but has him by 8... yes 8 pounds!)  Being 'photo-minded' and knowing I could find anything I needed in Grandpa John's garage, I went to work.  Oh baby Owen! You melt my heart!!

Isaac doesn't discriminate

Feed me Daddy!

jibber jabber

A certain little someone has started to talk back! Because I never do videos, and I can't figure out how to add it, here is a link to it!

springy activities

We got to go to the park a few days ago with our friends.  I think we are all still in a little disbelief that it is so warm out (and are crossing our fingers that we won't get slammed again...)  Cassidy loves the swings and I couldn't resist.  As you can see, the lake ice is almost all melted and it is looking like spring!

a tisket a tasket

I LOVE beautiful fabric!

These bright springy colors were screaming my name.  They are all from Momo's 'It's a Hoot' line with the exception of the yellow dewberry strip I threw in from my stash. I bought this fabric and many yards of piping with a certain project in mind.

This! 

You can find the tutorial for this basket here. I figured since it would take me so long to make the basket, I would splurge and buy some colorful eggs to go inside.  I got them here.  Oh and the fabric is from here.  I really hadn't gotten crafty in quite some time... I may have gotten myself started again...

the real meaning of Easter

Ask most kids, mine included, why we have Easter and their answer will be something about candy, Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny.  While that part is all well and good, we decided we wanted our kids to focus more upon Easter's true meaning.  I ran across this tutorial on pinterest and decided it was just what we needed.  It takes 12 days (or 7 if you do the condensed version), and a few supplies you can find around the house. We decided to do it each night when we usually do our family scripture study.

First, get those plastic easter eggs out.

 Then either write a number from 1-12 on each egg... or use a sticker like we did.

 Label the eggs...

 Then scour the yard and house for the remaining supplies. 

Print off the scriptures from the blog listed above, then follow the directions for placing each scripture reference into an egg with its token.

We started last night and the kids were so excited! And you still have time to make yours! (it took me only maybe 20 minutes with Cassidy's help.) The only word of advice- once the egg is opened take it and put it out of sight so it doesn't serve as a distraction.  We will do that tonight.

double-edged sword

'enjoy the little things in life for someday you will look back and realize they were the BIG things.'

- Robert Brault

I have always wanted to be a mother.  As a child I dreamed about holding my babies close and watching them grow up.  With each new skill learned, a part of my heart soared with pride and excitement.  But I must admit that a part of me now, too feels a little sad. I wish I could just freeze moments in time. I guess in essence that is what I do with my camera.  I have been trying to capture more everyday moments, so some day when I am old and grey, I can see how we have progressed and far we all have come. 

As Isaac eats his cereal, I find myself cheering him on, while at the same time sighing a little inside because inevitably he will one day not need me anymore for one of the things I treasure doing most: nursing.

I think about my Cassidy getting so big. For awhile I contemplated sending her to preschool, thinking she needed it.  Now I look at how she has matured in the last year and desperately want to keep her home with me so I can love her to pieces as my 'baby girl' for as long as I can. 

The thought of Lucybell going to school full time next year breaks my heart. I know she is ready and thrives in school, and I am so proud of her hard work and motivation but I sigh inside knowing that soon she will be gone away from her mama for so long. 

And Jack.... already he pushes me away when I try to kiss him when the bus in coming in the morning.  I knew this day would come and remember telling my mom when he was Isaac's size that I kissed his head more than I did just about anything else because I knew there would come a day he wouldn't want me to... I am so proud of the progress he has made in reading and writing this year, both areas in which he has struggled.  His hard work is paying off, but a part of me wishes he still called his J a J-hook, the only way I could get him to show any interest in writing his name when he was 3.

So I let Isaac linger and pacify himself each time we nurse even when I know the milk is gone... and even let him drift off to sleep each night.  Maybe more for me than for him.  Each day I soak up all that I can and snap away at his changing features more than ever.  And I call Cassidy "little D' because she still is. and I let her crawl into bed to snuggle with me whenever she needs it at night, even when I said I never would. And I am keeping her home with me this next school year rather than send her to preschool.

And I take time to craft and bake with Lucy, hoping to build a hobby that will bind us even closer when she is older.  I giggle to myself as she sings a continuous song throughout the day and cherish the 'love notes' she gives me. And I relish when Jack asks if he can read to me and wants to sit really close... close enough that I can smell that unforgettable scent in his hair. And I let him sit on my lap in church even though he darn-well near smashes my legs. And each night before I go to bed, I watch them each for a bit, and marvel at all they have become. I kiss each one on their cheek, and whisper to them one more time that I love them. Then I thank my Father in Heaven for allowing me the pleasure of raising these sweet children, and for the knowledge that we can be a family together forever. And that things will just keep getting better.

rice cereal

 Guess what mom has started feeding me?  Rice cereal! This is a picture of me after my first few bites.  I ate it pretty well and really didn't make any silly faces or anything.  Maybe because in comparison to all those strong medicines I took a while back, this is bland!

 Here I am thinking "I like this big kid stuff."  I get my own big chair and mom talks to me.  She says something that sounds like numnumnumnum.  Who knows what it means but I sure do like it!

That is until I have gotten my fill.  (Or if my sisters try to help feed me and gag me with the spoon, on accident of course.)  Here I kinda feel like if I eat another bite, I might explode. But you know, I am trying to bulk up for the ladies. (and by ladies, I mean my mom).

Spring has sprung... for now

 It is just so hard to believe that we are having this gorgeous weather!  Upper 70's for 3 out of the last 4 days.  We had to pull out the shorts and t-shirts, flip flops and baseball caps and then head outside to enjoy it while the weather lasts. My beautiful little crocuses are blooming and the buds on the lilac bush are opening.  The past few days we have enjoyed a picnic, ice cream cones on the front porch, some bike riding, chalk drawings, sandbox play, and a little tree climbing.  We are going to be so dang disappointed once reality returns!

BFM

We are a budget oriented family.  Always have been.  From the first day of our marriage I remember Andy coming to me with a spiral notebook, a pen and a stack of bills and receipts. We sat down, determined our monthly needs and created a budget.   It didn't happen if it wasn't in the budget, and written on the sheet.  It is still that way today.  We have obviously made a few updates to our allotted amounts for each category, and added categories as demands have changed, but we still have a sheet that hangs on the fridge that holds a running tally of how much we have to spend that month in each category and how much we have spent thus far. Each time I walk in from spending any money, my first stop is to record it on the budget. Simple as that.  Say I spent $45 at Walmart for example, I write a big -$45 under the Walmart column.  It is really quite handy, and while I cursed the dang thing for a long time, Andy's persistence in helping me to 'stick to the budget' has really been quite beneficial.  We know exactly where our money is going and know that as long as we keep with the program we will always have enough. 

Now here is where BFM comes in.  BFM=Budget. FREE. Money.  Say we get an unexpected Bonus, or cash in on credit card points. BFM BABY!  Me likey BFM.  I can use the BFM for whatever Mama wants or Mama needs.  Same goes for Daddy Drew.    I tend to use mine for things like new shoes, jeans, crafts, photography equipment, etc.  Andy prefers to go for more manly stuff.  You know, the stuff that screams, 'I am a rugged manly man'.  And really there is not any dispute that he is in my mind (we do have 4 kids...), but it is kinda cute to me as well.  Take yesterday.  Andy has been aching for a new chain saw and leaf blower.  Hey they make sense - we have lots of trees and leaves and now lake property with waaaaaay more trees and leaves.  And I guess they do more good say we have a storm than a new pair of jeans would, but that is not the point...  So anyway he was like a kid heading to a candy store going to buy these new toys. When he got home he went straight to the driveway (with quite the grin I may add) and blew all the sand (from that snow storm 2 weeks ago) that was covering our driveway to oblivion.  Have to admit it was pretty nifty. And when he spotted our neighbor this morning taking out his chain saw he bee lined over to him and I heard him say 'so you need help cutting anything down?' through the open window (YES it is March 17th and we had our windows open because it was 78 degrees today.  IN MARCH!)   After a disappointing 'no' from our neighbor Mike, Andy proceeded to cut down a few trees and chop some fire wood.  For like 2 hours.  Now I know there is an air of sarcasm in my tone throughout this post, but in all seriousness I love that Andy loves to have a nice looking yard.  Cuz I am kinda anal like that too.  So we kinda gel.  I stand on the front porch looking snazzy in my new jeans and admire the nicely manicured yard.  Just the way it should be:)

two weeks ago...

looking out the front door two weeks ago:

looking out the front door today:

Hey Isaac!

What do you think of this weather we are having?

I'd have to agree.... :)

fresh air

We are emerging from winter!  The weather channel has 9 straight days of upper 60's forecasted.  When Cassidy got outside she did her princess dance right over to a puddle and exclaimed 'fresh air!'.  How right you are little one. We all have missed the days of getting outside for some fresh air!

pickled fish

We had our friends the Jones' over to make some pickled fish last weekend.  This is one of Andy's newer traditions.  He fishes all winter long and freezes all of the 'less desirable' fish.  (The walleye fillets were gone long ago when Grandpa made the family a delicious baked fish dinner ... and I am not a fish person... so you know it was good!). Then when he has a large stash, he makes pickled fish.

He uses a recipe that has been in the family for a long time.  It belonged to his Grandpa Jack.  I love that Andy has taken it upon himself to make sure some of the long lived family specialties (pickled fish, pumpkin chiffon pie, etc.) are written down so that future generations may enjoy them as well.

After brining the fish for 2 days, he boils some pickling spice and pepper corns in a solution made from wine, vinegar, and sugar.

Here Cheryl helps Andy get the solution into the jars as Alyson looks on, making sure they are doing it right.

And here is the final product!  It looks really pretty, and Andy and the kids love it.  Maybe I shouldn't make this public knowledge, but I have never actually tasted it.  (Now I will probably be held down and forced to give it a try...)  Maybe I should have added this to the list!

Jigging at the lake

 Andy, Grandpa John and Jack headed out to our lake property to do a little jigging this weekend before we lose all the ice.  Typically you would catch pan fish but they got lucky and snagged these nice sized large mouth bass.  I myself cannot wait until we can go hang out there in the warm weather to do some regular fishing, swimming and picnicking!

And check out the big shot below.  You can't tell but he is moving on the picture below.  Alone.  Jack is now old enough to drive the snowmobile by himself (as long as he is somewhere devoid of trees and other obstacles).  And I remember when he called them snow-mo-ca-biles.  *sigh

spring training

It was mighty warm in the north woods today.  61 degrees to be exact! After church we ditched our jackets and spent a good amount of time outside resurrecting the bikes and baseball gloves.  Jack is going to try little league this year and he just recently got a 'real' metal bat and new glove.  He and Andy have spent a few nights in the basement with the foam bat and ball hitting and fielding so being outside today was a special treat.  Jack finds it hard to believe his mother played softball and even more hard to believe that she was any good.  And he sure doesn't like to take any advice from us.  We were having a good time despite Jack almost taking out one of our garage lights.  I decided to go bat with Lucy while Jack and Andy played catch.  At one point, he wanted me to watch how far he could throw it with 'his method'. I stopped to watch and he kept throwing off target... nerves I think.  He was quick to let me know it wasn't his fault: "Mom, get away! You are like a magnet for badness!" he said.  Andy and I couldn't stop laughing. 

four months

At 4 months Isaac, you have changed so much

*You are very curiously alert and aware.  Your eyes follow your Dad and me and your siblings around the room, soaking up everything that goes on.
*You are sensitive to others emotions and will cry empathetically when someone else is crying.
*When you are on your belly you can push your chest up off the ground and hold yourself up for quite awhile.
*You are starting to use those tiny little hands to hold onto toys and swing at them if they are dangled near you.
*When you aren't playing you hold your hands together on your chest or play with them there.
*You prefer to suck on the first two fingers on your right hand.
*When I go in to get you up from a nap and you see it is me, you melt your mom's heart with a loving, full mouth smile that lights up your entire face.
*You are starting to try to sit up and support some of your own weight, and like us to balance you in a standing position sometimes.
*Your silly hair continues to thin, making that natural mohawk even less likely to lay flat.  The fuzz that is coming in beneath looks a lot lighter.
*you are quite patient but let me know when you've been sitting for too long and need a little love.
*You probably won't like this someday but your nick name is 'Zeekie- Zoo' (which came to be because your mama sings silly little songs about her kids and Zeekie-Zoo goes nicely with Jack-a-doo and Lucy-lu and Cass-a-ma-do.)
*You recognize yourself in the mirror and smile
*You are overall a happy little man.
*You weigh 12lbs 3oz (2% you peanut) and are 24 3/4 inches (50%) long
*We are so lucky to have you :)

things I never did in Tosa

Having lived in the North woods for almost 2 years now, I have discovered there are a few things people do up here, that I never did in Wauwatosa. 

1. Dangle a piece of wood with a flag on it over a hole in the ice, hoping to catch 'the big one'.

2. Hang a dead deer in your garage.

3. Butcher said deer on the kitchen table.

4. Gag while Plucking and butchering chickens fresh from the coop.

5. Wear boots out of necessity for 8 months out of the year. (Okay maybe I am exaggerating a bit...)

6. Go to Mayfair Walmart when you need to get out of the house and do a little shopping.

7. Go outside in the pouring rain with a head light on at 10:30pm to help your husband pluck night crawlers out of the ground.

8. Go skinny dipping  swimming in a lake any summer day you want.

9. Have a campfire in your own back yard.

7. Shovel off the roof of your house.

8. Shovel off the roof of your home with your 7, 5 and 3 year old along.

9. Shovel off the roof of your home and then let the 7, 5 and 3 year olds jump off of the roof into the pile of snow.

Andy told me they did it all the time when they were kids.    I had a really hard time with this... especially when Lu took the plunge.  Cass still hads some sense in that head and decided not to jump.

All that said, I really do love living here.  There are just a few things I have to get used to. That's all :)





Helpin a brutha out

The kids love to help Isaac with his breathing treatments.  Isaac thinks he could do without them and turns his head from side to side, trying to avoid the continuous stream of mist directed at his mouth and nose.

 The look on Jack's face when he is with Isaac makes me melt inside... he is just in love with his brother.  And it seems like he is more willing to let me take pictures of him when he is with Isaac, so of course I take advantage!

Would you please tell those drug manufacturers that this pink stuff is nasty. I prefer milk flavor. On the other hand, it is pretty fun spitting it all over my mom's face...

les miserables

This would be an accurate description of my kids right now.  What all started a week ago today as a few innocent coughs and a scratchy voice in Cassidy has blossomed into a bunch of miserable days for each of my kids.  Fevers, sneezes, runny noses, weepy eyes, hoarse voices and whimpers, sore throats and the most gnarly cough you've ever heard.  Except for the cough, Cass has since left the above symptoms behind.  Isaac has had a fever and cough since Wednesday and his coarse, wheezy, increased rate of breathing has landed him on a steroid and a nebulizer until the wheezing and cough have gone away and an antibiotic (for both ears).  Last night Lucy and Jack ran slight fevers and have started the cough too.  RSV baby. It ain't no fun. 

While the rest of the kids obviously have a virus with a cough, it was little Isaac who really worried me.  He started gagging a few times when it was time to nurse.  I know from experience it is when babies stop nursing that viral effects can become more dangerous.  So we brought him to the doctor today just to make sure with the weekend coming, that we caught anything before it got worse.  While his oxygen level was normal, he was breathing at an increased rate, and with more force than typical.  The albuterol has seemed to ease his breathing some. And now that he is a little more used to the taste of the different medications, he is less hesitant to take them, and seems more comfortable. 

He is pretty good natured and despite feeling like crap, he usually smiles and coos at me when I change him or otherwise care for him.  Had to laugh at the little bug, though. When I have to check his temperature, ya know... down there, it doesn't phase him. He just continues to smile and coo.  However if I wipe his nose, you'd think I just punched him in the nose.  That is definitely the thing he hates the worst.

So in a week when typically a snow day would be looked upon as a nice break to make cookies, this mommy was feeling mighty cooped up. (This morning I was actually hoping the van wouldn't fight me to start up to take Isaac to the doctor. It has just been so long since I have used it!)  And it looks like we have a few more days ahead of us for some healing to take place.  At least I have been forced to slow down a bit and spend some quality time with my favorite little people.

Queen of the mountain