Gone Fishing

I started working on this post almost a month ago and I'm finally sitting down to finish it!  Life has been a little hectic busy lately so I haven't had time to sit and write as much as I would like to.  So here we go!

So nearly a month ago we spent the day at the lake.  Paul ran from one kid to the other trying to get a worm on each hook, casting the line, putting more worms on hooks, untangling lines, recasting... 

It was a little hectic for the poor guy, but we laughed at the chaos and had fun anyways.

The kids were really excited to go fishing with Daddy -- especially Max!  He has been wanting to go fishing and hunting with his Dad ever since he learned to go potty on the toilet.  It was a deal we made with him hoping to persuade him.

I don't think he realized that you have to be quiet and sit still while fishing...  He got fidgety not even 5 minutes after Paul cast his line in the water and got him ready!

All the kids got bored fairly quick and decided to walk around and play with their cousins.

After awhile the Dads gave up on fishing too (no bites this time) and we grilled some hot dogs and enjoyed dinner outside in God's beautiful country!  It was pretty windy, but other then that it was a pretty relaxing day!

As fun as it was to go fishing with the family, I have wanted Paul and I to go together so bad!  I would love to go fishing and just not have to talk or do anything -- just sit there and enjoy nature.  I may even bring a book and read and just soak up the sun.  Maybe we can do that for our next date night! :-)

Zoe's broken arm

The plan was that as soon as Paul closed the store on July 2 we would all get in the car and drive all night to go to a cousin's wedding in Washington state.  I was so surprised at how everything was falling into place -- I packed early, got my house clean, with the help of Paul's dad the care was cleaned and packed and ready to go.  7:00 p.m. rolled around and we were putting last minute things away in the car when Zoe fell off the porch swing.  She wasn't being crazy or anything...just sitting on the swing and decided to get down.

 

When I heard her scream I could tell she was in pain, but I had no idea it was so serious.  I tried to calm her down by holding her, we prayed for her, we offered her a cookie, blah blah blah.. nothing was making her feel better.  Paul walked in the door and we told him what happened and we both made the decision to take her to the ER and have her arm checked out.

 

On the way there she was falling asleep, but every time Paul hit a bump or we made the slightest move she would cry out in pain.  I knew it was serious.  I prayed the whole time for my little girl.  All the while I felt sick to my stomach because I had to watch my little girl suffer.

 

 

Going to the ER is never fun.  They always take for.ev.er. to get anything done.  The time came for Zoe to get X-rays.  Paul carried her in and I followed behind.  The screams coming from my baby made me cry and, again, I felt so sick watching and feeling helpless.  I just wanted this all to be over!

 

I think we were in the ER for a total of 4 hours.  They told us that Zoe had Nursemaid's Elbow and wrapped her arm with an ace bandage, gave her the tiniest sling they had, told us to give her ibuprofen for the swelling, and gave us the clearance to drive through the night.

 

I was talking to Paul and asking her if she would feel up to the trip.  Would she even want to be the flower girl anymore?  She must have overheard me because she had the most serious look on her face and said, "Mom, I am going to the wedding and I'm going to drop the petals."  We got the rest of the family and drove through the night heading toward Seattle!

 

When we were about 2 hours away from Seattle I got a voicemail from the ER doctor saying he was going over Zoe's X-rays with the radiologist and the radiologist said Zoe DID have a fracture and there was a chance of her arm being dislocated.  I. Was. Furious.  I said, "Well what do I do now?!  You said it was ok to go and we're 2 hours out of Seattle!"  He told us to immediately go to and ER in Seattle and have them check her out.

 

We took Zoe to Children's Hospital in Seattle and they were absolutely amazing!  When I told the story I could tell they thought our ER was crazy.  Join the club!  We were only in there for 2 hours and Zoe felt so much more comfortable with them than she did with the people at our local ER!  They put a hard splint on her because she still had some swelling, and I scheduled an appointment for her to get a cast as soon as we got home.

 

After all that junk was over with we headed up to Darrington to Paul's papa's house and we stayed there till after the wedding.  While we were there my mom sent a package and it happened to have some surprises in it -- like Tangled!  My mom sent the package before Zoe broke her arm.  It's almost like God told her Zoe needed it ahead of time!  She was SO excited and told me over and over how much she loves the movie. :-)

 

On Tuesday we went to our local orthopedic surgeon and he took more X-rays of Zoe's arm (cha-ching, cha-ching, right?) and showed me the results.  Apparently the ER sent over their X-rays while we were gone and considered her break a Type 4 break which mostly involves surgery.  They did not tell me that over the phone which, again, made me furious with our local hospital.  But the doctor said that she had a very common fracture, showed me the X-rays and explained all the details with me which made me feel so much better.

 

Zoe picked her favorite color and the doctor put on the tiniest little cast ever and said we were good to go.  He was so nice in a gruff way!  It was like I was talking with my own Papa. ;-)  I immediately liked him and knew he was the best.

 

In two weeks we go back for a follow-up with more X-rays and we'll see where she's at as far as her healing!  Zoe is back to her normal self now that she has a cast on.  She definitely feels more comfortable knowing her arm doesn't hurt anymore.  I'm thankful for that!  She now is ready to help with most everything around the house...except maybe cleaning up her toys. ;-)  That is when I'm reminded with the cutest speech impediment, "But Mom...I have a bwoken awm."

 

When I think about everything we have gone through in the past week I get to feeling a little overwhelmed.  No one likes hospital bills.  Yikes!  But I know that all things work together for good to them that love God.  He has a reason behind everything that happens in our lives...whether they are good or bad.  I have peace knowing He will never fail us nor forsake us!

 

Oh, and now I am looking into plastic bubbles for each of my children.  Just kidding.  But seriously. :-)

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.

I read this quote a few months ago and it has been stuck with me ever since!  I think it is a great reminder and I try to remind myself of it often -- especially when I'm feeling impatient and I know I could do it A LOT faster...

 

 

Now that Zoe has a "princess bed" she is more excited about making it everyday.  I think it is so cute to watch.  It may not be perfect, but I think she does a great job!

 

I also have Zoe try to teach Max how to make his bed.  He doesn't quite get it (understandably so) but he will eventually!

 

Titus has finally discovered how to army crawl FORWARD.  It's very exciting...but it's also more work for me! :-)  I vacuum daily and he still grazes on random things found on the floor.  Ugh  Now that he is army crawling he is more involved in Zoe and Max's play time.  They play with toys, read books, watch shows.. I love watching all 3 of my babies together!

 

I'm sure Paul will love this picture. ;-)  Zoe is teaching Max how to take care of babies.  How to hold them with their heads UP, how to change diapers, etc.  It was very sweet!

 

The babies and I walked to Story Time yesterday.  We learned about dirt, worms, and even mud tacos!  Afterward we all went outside and they enjoyed "dirt cups" on the lawn!  A perfect treat for a summer day!

 

Yesterday I was very busy.  I was on my feet all.day.long.  Woe is me, right? ;-)  When the kids finally went to bed I enjoyed an iced coffee (at 10:00 pm. Shame.) and even gave myself a quick pedicure!  I love Bath & Body Works' sugar scrubs!  They feel great!

 

So far this morning we have had breakfast, the kids are ready for the day, and...I'm still in my PJ's. :-)  Oh well.  Not everyday is perfect!

Things that go bump in the night

We had a pretty wild storm last night!  I don't know if I have ever experienced anything like that before.  I got caught driving alone with my three babies dodging branches, people, and large dumpsters praying that God would keep me safe because I had no idea what was going on!

 

When we were safely home and all babies were tucked into their beds, I just laid there with eyes wide hoping the wind would calm down.  I.hate.wind.  I just knew that as soon as I relaxed a branch would be flying through one of my kids' windows!

 

As soon as my body started to relax and I dozed off, I soon awakened because I heard intruders in my house!  They even came into my room!  I turned on the light and I saw this guy trying to climb into my bed:

 

 

I am not used to my children being capable of getting out of bed on their own yet.  It scared the living daylights out of me!

 

I tucked him back in bed and told him to go to sleep, and then went to back to bed myself.  I was just starting to dream about weird things when I heard coughing.  I woke up and knew that he was out of bed again so I went searching..

 

The goofy kid was laying on the floor in the living room with his blanket wrapped around his head.  No idea why!

 

It's time to use the baby gate so he doesn't get used to wandering in the middle of the night!

I don't even know where this is going!

Hello all!  I don't have any pictures for this post.  Sorry to disappoint. :-)  I'll make sure to take some here soon!

Today is going to be a BUSY day!  I'm pretty intimidated by it honestly...  This morning I am hoping to get my house in order, clean Zoe's room, and get all birthday cards in the mail before 1:00 p.m.  I have to take all the kids to a WIC appointment and then hurry back home for our ladies' book discussion!

A week ago I hosted a book discussion at my house for our married ladies in the church on the book The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.  I only read the intro for all the ladies and immediately knew in my heart that this book was going to change my life!  We're only reading a chapter a week and I feel like I need to highlight every single word in the first chapter because she hits the nail on the head when it comes to women and marriages.  I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for us ladies as we read this book!

 

After the book discussion everyone is going to head to my garage to start setting everything up for our church's yard sale this weekend.  That is going to be such a tedious job that I'm not really looking forward to it...  I love going to yard sales, but I don't like having my own!  Too much work!  Anyways, most of the money will be going to local expense so I'm praying that God will greatly bless our efforts!

There is now a 40% chance of a storm tomorrow afternoon so I don't know about that...  We shall see!  Either way we have to have this yard sale so here we go!

As much as I dread this weekend, I am praying that we have a great time and we all find humor instead of stress!  I'm speaking to myself mostly.  The stressful gal that I am!

Happy weekend to everyone!

Fun in the sun

Normally I hate Memorial Day and am not interested in anything but a pint of ice cream and a sad movie --- not because I don't appreciate our fallen soldiers, but there's still a part of me that grieves because four years ago this week was the worst week of my life.

This year I wanted to reflect on more positive things, though. I have three happy, healthy, beautiful children! They make me happy each and everyday. I am so blessed by these babies!

We ended up having a great day with family and friends! We ate waffles, walked to the park, shared lots of laughs, and I made a delicious dinner afterward! In my best Cake Boss voice, "At the end of the day...it's all about family!" 

Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming...

This morning I have been sipping on my coffee and enjoying the view from my living room window. Paul and I have been working outside getting our yard in shape, and we planted some wild flowers in my little pots as well as underneath our big window! I sure hope they grow...I want to see some beautiful flowers soon! You know how anxious I get about plants! :-) I never know if I'll be able to keep them alive or not! 

Happy Friday! 

Hairy situation

For those of you who don't know me...I go bald after having a baby.  It's awful!  It doesn't matter if I continue to take my prenatals and extra vitamins that specifically help hair growth or not --- my hair falls out.  In this picture below, you can kind of see how half of my bangs are gone.  They fell out.  Haha!  It's horrible!

 

 

So because my hair falls out, I get a new look.  I found a picture of what I wanted and showed my good friend, Keelie, and this is what I got!

 

I am so happy with how it turned out!  I love, love, love it!  One day I will have long hair again...until then I will rock the short hairstyles!

 

At the end of the day...Paul got his guitar out and played songs for the kids.  Some that he has written, and then the classics like Jesus Loves Me and The Itsy Bitsy Spider.  I loved watching him play with the kids!  No TV, no cell phones or computers, just family time.

 

In honor of THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING I will be making lemon cookies from scratch, the kids and I will go on a walk, and we may do a craft of some kind!  Happy Wednesday!

I hate animals

Especially lying groundhogs!

 

Source: bing.com via raina on Pinterest

 

The past couple days we have had snow.  It comes down like we're going to have a blizzard and then by the end of the day some of it melts away.  Snow is always beautiful when it gracefully falls to the ground.  It sometimes looks like little fairies are gracefully flying in the wind.

 

But I'm over you, fairies!  I'm over you, snow!  Can we please have warmer weather now?

 

This morning I wore a sweater and drank hot coffee while doing my devotions.  It may sound nice, but I'd rather be sipping sweet tea and listening to the birds chirping because I have my windows and doors open.

 

I texted Paul this morning and we were daydreaming about a beach...white sand...the sound of the roaring ocean...the heat of the sun on your back...  Sounds heavenly, right?  Well...don't look out your window because it shatters your dreams like a rock does a stained glass window.

 

Ok that may be a little dramatic...but you get my point. ;)

 

I know that one day (soon!) Spring will be here.  The time will finally come when we can plant our little gardens, get our yards whipped into shape, plant flowers, play outside, go on walks, play at the park, etc.  God is just teaching some of us patience.  Thanks, Lord.

 

Happy Tuesday!

Fif, Birthdays, and the Fair.

I have been so crazy busy lately I haven't had a chance to blog about the little things going on in our life here in podunk Havre.

First off, last Friday Paul and I took Zoe to the pet store and she picked out her very first pet!

This here is Fif the fish. =)  Zoe picked this little guy out of all the other bettas there -- and I'm glad too since he was the most active!  She runs to his fish bowl every morning and says, "Hiya Fif!"  I think it was a great purchase. =)

Paul's birthday was yesterday!  He is now 27.  On his lunch break the kids and I took Dad out to lunch for his special day.  Zoe was so excited to see her Dad and ran to him and held his hand.

This is a Seattle Seahawks blanket I made for his birthday (with a little help)!  I was so happy to see his face light up when he saw it!

Apparently we partied too hard for Max.  This is how we found him in the other room.  Ha ha!

We got to visit the fair for lunch this afternoon.  I enjoyed watching Zoe eat a Pronto Pup.. and feeding some bites to little Max as well!  Gotta love nasty fair food!

I could talk about more things going on but I have run out of time.  This will have to do for now!  I hope you enjoy it!

A virtual tour

Both kids fell asleep so I took advantage of the moment and cleaned my living room!  I thought it looked so good I decided to take some pictures and show off my home. =)

When you walk through the front door this is what you're going to see -- my lovely red wall. ♥  I'm very proud of this wall.  Actually, this picture doesn't even do the red justice!  It is very vibrant without being obnoxious.  I love it.

Oh, the junk in the corner is one of Paul's and my summer projects!  We have been collecting different frames and we plan on spray painting them with some oil rubbed bronze stuff.. I don't remember what it's called exactly, but we did it to the lamp you see in the above picture and it looks spectacular!  One day we will FINALLY have pictures of our children and family on the walls. =)

Here is the other side of our living room.  The computer is on the far left.  That is where I work/facebook/Pinterest surf/blog.  The basket in the far right corner is holding hats, scarves, gloves, etc.  I'm not comfortable packing them up yet.  You never know when Montana is going to dump snow on you!

Oh, the box next to the lamp is there for me to pack up some things on the bookshelf.  I just realized I need some newspaper!

A closer look at some of the things in my bookshelf.  I love to go to Sally's and buy old looking books.  I have read some of the ones I buy, but lately I haven't had a chance to read anything.  They still look pretty on my shelf, though.

Here is our wedding sand, a shadow box showing our wedding invitation, and the vase is holding the flowers from my wedding bouquet.

So there you have it!  Welcome to my living room. =)  Now that I started this, I need to show off the rest of my house!  One day at a time.. one day at a time.. =)

Goodbye, friend..



Source: images.google.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

Today is the last day of summer.

How do you feel about this?

I do look forward to wearing cozy sweaters and leggings.  I definitely look forward to wearing boots -- and adding to my collection. =)  I even look forward to the slight chill in the air.

But summer.. how I will miss you, summer..

I will look forward to your return!

I can't believe it..

Have you ever heard of the book Winter in the Blood?  Well they're making a MOVIE on it -- here in Havre, MT.  A friend and I were in the grocery store the other night and ran into David Morse and nearly fell over from excitement and awe!  He was the bad guy in Disturbia and totally scared the living daylights out of me, so it was awesome to see him in our local grocery store. =)

You know another exciting thing?  Paul's bug (pictured above) is going to be used in the movie.  Yes indeed!  He took Thursday and Friday off from work so he can be on set watching his dream car in action.  I'm sure he's so proud.  I think it's funny that men act so nonchalant about things.  If my car was being used in a movie I would be freaking out and screaming like a teenage girl.  We're so different from each other!

In other news, I am getting ready to go to the doctor to see if I have progressed any since last week.  I sure hope I have!  I'm ready for Max to be here -- and to not be pregnant anymore.  I'll let you know how it goes!  I know my mom is anxious to know what's going on too, since she has to drive up here and that will take 2-3 days so she wants to plan it just right.  Ah babies.. they're so much fun to work around!

Have a wonderful day!

Don't judge me!

Sometimes we go around the house naked -- especially if it's 104 outside! =)

Zoe can now pull herself up to standing.  She is VERY proud of herself!  After I took this picture she walked herself around the toy box and pulled most of those DVDs off the shelf.  She leaned her little belly against the toy box so she was pretty much standing on her own and didn't realize it.  Silly girl!

Last night we took Zoe to the fair for the very first time.  We didn't ride any rides, obviously, but we ate plenty of yummy fair food!  Pronto pups, cheese fries, cokes, scones, etc.  Paul and I had more fun than Zoe, but that's ok.

I can't believe how much she has grown!  It's crazy to watch your own baby grow up before your eyes..

"I could.."

Well I got to see Zoe's and my picture in the newspaper.  I laughed so hard because my face looked a lot like this guy!

Glen from The Ringer.
The title I used is also from Glen.

They were kind of small pictures so I don't know if I could put them on here without them being really fuzzy and not recognizable.  I still would like to cut it out and put in in Zoe's book, though.  Funny memories!

So Zoe is 9 months old now.  It seems like she's learning something new everyday.  I love it!  She actually waves with her cute little pudgy fingers, she loves to say hey, she has eaten everything we have given to her and she loves it!  I don't think we have to worry about her being a picky eater.  We do have a problem when we put the spoon down though..

Paul and I bought bikes and a bike trailer for me to wheel Zoe around in.  I have taken her on one trip so far and it was a lot of fun -- though she was so tired she was falling through the seatbelt and not trying to keep herself up. =\  The slight bummer with having such a tiny child.  Ha!

I feel this baby move constantly!  I'm pretty sure I will be birthing the energizer bunny.  I know he's taking all of my energy!  Between him and Zoe I am pretty much pooped all the time.  I will be 20 weeks in just a couple days, and when I am, I plan on taking a picture of myself.  I promise!  Now is the time to be better about taking pictures because this pregnancy is flying by faster then I though it would.

Today has been a rainy, dreary day so I haven't got much done but I will say this!  Ever since I have started charting everything I do during the day to make sure my house is clean, I have been doing so much better!  I'm so thankful I found something to help me out.  It breaks it down for me and makes it so simple so I'm doing better at keeping my house clean.  Thank you cleaning chart. :)

Well, that's about all I have to share right now.  Ta-ta for now!

We're going to be famous!!

I took Zoe to Story Time this morning.  I love taking her every week!  It's fun to meet other moms and get Zoe out with other kids.  They may be older than her, but one day she'll be the same age.

Today we read "Our Tree Named Steve" by Alan Zweibel.  What a cute story!  I really enjoyed it.  I definitely suggest you checking it out from your local library and reading it.  I'm half tempted to buy it for Zoe -- though I know she won't be interested in it till a lot later in her little life.

After the story everyone was invited to go outside to get their very own baby tree to plant in their yards!  How fun!  They had a few different types to choose from.  The one I chose is called May Day.  I tried looking up a picture on Google to show you what it will look like, but I can't figure out how to do anything on this Mac! :D  So you will have to look at it yourself.

After we got our tree -- in a fancy milk jug filled with dirt and water -- Zoe dove right in to handle the mud.  I figured it would be fine to let her experiment with mud.  Mud doesn't hurt anyone, right?  Wrong.  She looked at her hand, dirty and muddy, and wiped it on my shirt.  I didn't know what to do!  My hands were full holding my daughter and a tree, all the while her wiping her dirty little hands on my shirt.  I asked my friends to help me out -- all the while a photographer from the newspaper took a million pictures of the whole ordeal.  Afterward she asked me if it would be ok if she used some of the pictures in the paper.

Of course!

I can't wait to see what it will look like.  I've already asked family to save it for me so I can keep it and put it in Zoe's baby book -- that I've never touched. =\

What a day!

Yep. I said it.

This morning I got out of bed to get Zoe, and on my way through the living room I see it.  Snow.  The ground was covered and it's still snowing.  ::sigh::  Oh well.  At least it's not below zero.  We're still enjoying 30+ degree weather.  I pray that it doesn't get any colder then that.

While I wait for the weather to get warmer, I daydream and plan out what flowers I want and where to put them.  I would love to dish out my ideas for all of you to read, but I'm afraid you would have no idea what I was saying so I'll just leave you in suspense.

In other news, Paul and I are seriously finally considering getting internet at the house.  I hope, hope, hope, HOPE we do!!  Paul needs it desperately for homework, and I would love to blog regularly instead of once in a blue moon when I have nothing to talk about -- hence random posts like this one.. =\

Tell me honestly, am I boring?  I feel like I'm stuck in a rut blogging-wise.  Maybe I should do something different?  I NEED FEEDBACK!!

Thanks. :)

Should I say it?

This past week has been pretty amazing -- weather wise.  Yes, we have been experiencing spring-like weather and I luff it!  Paul says I shouldn't get my hopes up since it is still March and there is a possibility of more snow, but it's too late.  My hopes are high.  They're soaring!  I'm just plain happy with this warm(er) weather.  

A couple days ago a bunch of us girls went for a walk with our kids.  It was heavenly!  It felt so good to be out in the sun again.  

I can't help it!!  

I think spring is on it's way!!!

There.  I said it.  Now I feel a slight chill.  Are those snow clouds??

What is it about Saturdays?

I feel so bad for my husband because he has to work every. Saturday. of. his. life.  I think because I know he has to work on such a lazy day, I choose to work just as hard around the house that way he doesn't feel like I get to rest and he doesn't.  I say this on a Saturday that I am not home and instead I am at his parent's house on the internet.  ::nervous laugh::

I have good reason to be here, though.  I am putting together a resume -- something I have no clue how to do -- and I need to test myself to see how many words I can type per minute.  The reason for doing this is because I am applying for a little job that I can work from home.. using internet which will mean we have to get it at our house.

Mmhmm.. that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

I hate testing myself.  Supposedly I type 45 words per minute, but I know that I type faster when I try to keep up with my mind instead of trying to copy a stupid paragraph with words I rarely use.  But whatever.  I enjoy the challenge!

Tonight our pastor and his wife will be taking us out.  We are going to the new Mexican restaurant that opened yesterday.  The only Mexican we have in Havre is Taco Time and Taco John's.  So we are very, very excited!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

A very merry un-anniversay to you!

This past weekend Paul and I ran away to Helena to celebrate our un-anniversary  -- since our actual anniversary is hidden till 2012 -- with just the two of us.. and Zoe.. and our little tadpole.

I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures than I did.  The only ones I took were of the capital building.  I need to have someone take a picture of us -- the happy couple!  Just wait, folks.

This picture was not taken this past weekend, it was actually taken today, but I couldn't help posting it for all to see!  We were visiting Paul at his work today, and while there we played around with the camera a little. :)  Isn't she a doll?

Back to our anniversary weekend..

Like I said before, we spent the anniversary in Helena.  We visited the historical society, the state capital, and the governor's first mansion.  We also walked/drove around downtown and admired the beauty of of the old buildings.  Some may think that wasn't the most romantic thing to do, but Paul has been enjoying his history class so much, and has been telling me so much about the history of how Montana came about, we wanted to see the history firsthand.  So we did!  We had a wonderful time, and we were so relaxed.  We even went swimming with Zoe and she loved it.

Oh, you know how it's March 1 and all.. spring is on it's way, the trees are budding and the weather is slowly getting warmer..  FALSE.  A blizzard blew in last night and is still going.  We are currently experiencing weather that is in the negatives.  So.. if you're so kind to think of me.. send some of that spring-like weather my way. :)