He's a Natural

12 years!

Ago, I told this really cute guy I would be his best friend if got the job he interviewed for...with Northwest Airlines. He was hired June 29, 2000. Our first kiss was a week later when he returned from baggage handler training.

This month his work took him to Senegal, China, and Alaska, not to mention Michigan for our 10year wedding anniversary.

You've come a long way, baby!

Literally. You have.

I love you. Congratulations on your twelve year anniversary with Delta. And me.

Here's my cutie in India in 2011.

New Pics

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

These photos were taken by Liz Seibenaler Photography

My Discover(y)

I finally did it. I hired a mother's helper. Two of them to be exact. And it might be the smartest thing I've ever done. They were here yesterday and this morning, taking care of M and N. The boys are in love with the sisters, who love them right back. I'm so happy that the boys are getting the attention that they need and want while I nurse C and scrub the dickens out of the bathrooms and attended my oh so lovely 6 (7 but who's counting) week check up. I despise cleaning bathrooms and pap smears, and the old me would have been horrified to know that one day I would actually pay people so that I(!) could do these things child-free.

BUT. A series of events has convinced me that if me and my sons are going to survive this summer, I'm going to need some help. You know how everyone from your mother, to your doctor, to the continuing Ed class you took last week tells you to take care of yourself? I finally got the message. And for me that looks like hiring a pair of sisters to play with my kids a few hours a week so I can do the stuff I never get around to doing but drives me bonkers because it's not done. by bonkers I mean absolutely nuts.

So far I've crossed out:
Bathrooms
6 week check up
Order gift cards

See, their mom doesn't think I need to pay them. I think she wants her girls to be busy and serving others. That's great. But I want the girls to come back! So I'm using my Discover card points to buy them gift cards for school clothes. American Eagle and JCPenney's is what they chose. And I have enough points to order more in a couple weeks.

I know it is the grace and mercy of God who cares about the little things, like my mental health, to put two fantastic young ladies in my life and a whole lot of rewards points in my Discover account.

Good Night Daddy

Bug Boy

He's afraid of flies, but is in love with the lightning bug Daddy caught for him last night! I'm not sure how to keep it alive till Hubs gets home Friday. Anyone know what fireflies eat?

Green Park

We have several neighborhood parks within walking distance. The green park isn't on our regular park rotation so tonight was extra fun!

Milk Coma

Mr. C is having a growth spurt this weekend and I just can't keep up! After Superdaddy bathed and tucked in the fellas, he topped off C's tank to put him in a milk coma. Best. Husband. Ever.

Delta Block Party

Today Hubs' work put on a fun family event. Here's a sneak peek of the fun we had; Hubs and M having a picnic lunch on airport grounds.

Anniversary Party Pics

You may remember that we celebrated our ten year anniversary last Friday?  Since we couldn't take that second honeymoon we'd hoped for, we decided to throw a picnic celebrating us!  When we travel back to MI for the holidays, we rarely get to see old friends and friends of the families because we are all busy with our own families.  So we rented a pavillion, bought food and cake and invited folks to come hang out with us and meet our sons.  We had so much fun hanging out with our families and old friends, and there was even a surprise - my bridesmaid K, whose wedding we traveled to NC last summer to attend - was there!  It was a special special night.

Cutting the cake - he's so sweet - still won't smash cake on me!

Hot dogs and watermelon on the menu

Hubs' parents and grandparents pose

My grandparents, BIL whose birthday was that day, and Mom who worked hard to make our day special.

My uncle aunt and cousin

Two nephews and M playing on the playground

Hubs' family - so cute

"Official" anniversary pic - see N on Hubs' leg?

If we only had one child.....

Our photographer, Aunt L and K

Me and K, my bridesmaid surprise!

N loved the balloons

Brotherly love

Uncle A made it!

The best shot of all 5 of us since the hospital and therefore our offical 10 year anniversary family photo.  Nice, huh?

Grandma A, Aunt L, and Great Aunt P

K, Uncle A, Grandpa A, and Handsome Hubs

Our sweet ride...Hubs' '96 Saturn...she still runs!

If you were there, or if you wanted to be there, THANK YOU!  We love you and are happy that you've chosen to be a part of our lives.  Here's to many more decades of fun!  Hopefully the kids will smile in our 20th Anniversary picture - they will be 13, 13 and 10, after all.  Yikes!!

Daredevils

As a secondary educator, I am well aware of the risky behavior adolescent males are prone to exhibit. As a mother, I am somewhat surprised to see these manifesting at age three. As a future parent of three teenage boys, I am frightened.

You see M driving the cozy coupe and N riding on top. They've been doing this for some time now and TAKING TURNS! N chose this activity after abandoning riding his trike over the boulders in the backyard.

I think I'm going to start praying that serenity prayer now.

It's a Party

M and N parked 3 cozy coupes, 2 trikes and 2 chairs beneath the maple tree. They say they are having a party and serving apples (leaves). I love to see their imaginations developing, and that C and I are invited to their party, too!

Now they driving by and serving me "banana cake." these guys crack me up!

Do you see N on the chair illegally picking the leaves?!

C just sucked his thumb throughout the party.

Bath Time Critters

Sweet Cheeks

Teacher's Lounge

That's where I am spending my lunch hour. An hour! Ok, I spent some quality time in the bathroom with my breast pump because I'm away from C today, but I spent the rest of it eating a delicious lunch prepared by someone else, chatting with other teachers. For the second June, I'm taking classes for my teaching license at South of the River Learning Academy. In MN, one needs 125 continuing education hours every 5 years to renew a license. I've been at home for 3 years now and have just a few hours left to take so I can renew. I love being a stay at home mom (most of the time), but need to keep my professional license current so I can go back when the time is right.

Going Home

Grandma K (my mom) drove me, Grandma A (Hubs' mom) and the boys to the airport this morning to go fly home to MN.

M was a chatter box with the TSA agent! "I'm a twin. This is my brother. That is my baby brother." grandma A and I looked at each other in disbelief. We rarely refer to the boys as "the twins" so it was quite a surprise to hear M use the term!

The three boys riding "the train" at MBS, one of their favorite parts of a trip, especially now that they are out of strollers.

We are home sweet home for a few weeks now.

Flowers for You

N giving Grandma A the flowers we used to decorate the tables last night.

Ten Years

Today we celebrated ten years with friends and family. It was so much fun to gather loved ones together! More about the party later. Here's a shot of Hubs and N playing together at the park where the party was held.

I'm more in love with this man than the day I married him. Looking forward to many more decades together.

Happy Anniversary to "my list."

Dow Gardens

It's where Handsome Hubs proposed and where our wedding photos were taken ten years ago tomorrow and now it's where we take the boys and play with their cousins in the Children's Garden area.

You will see M seconds after a shot in the face from the jumping fountain, N seconds before getting hit, N in the sandbox, and both boys filling their watering cans about a half hour before N took a swim in the barrel! On that note we were outta there!

City Dairy

When Grandpa babysits, the boys get Superman ice cream from the City Dairy. Mama got amaretto cherry, the same flavor she shared with her boyfriend all those years ago. Glad he's on his way home right now;)

Lawn Boys

Papa's new mower and Great grandpa's four wheeler- good morning so far!