Fun Weekend

Ben

Katie

Today after church we went grocery shopping as a family. I know what you're thinking. Why? Well, to be honest when we go after church and Jason is with me, I go a lot faster. We are in and out, because they all drive me crazy!
I do, in a strange way, enjoy stopping at the store on my way home from work. I enjoy taking my time and browsing going up and down the aisles all by myself. I love to look for deals and try to stay within my allotted budget. The best part is when I get up to the check out and get to put all the items on the belt. I bet you think I'm not thinking to hard about it, at this point. Well you are wrong!! Just like when I load my dishwasher this is the only other area of my life where I like to do things in an orderly way. I think, "what do I want to load into the cart first?" "How will I arrange it in my car?" "I don't want my bread to get squished or my salad stuff smooched."
I know you are probably shocked by this and at the same time, hope you never get stuck behind me in line. Have no fear, I'm actually pretty fast now!
So I digressed for a moment there. Sorry. So we all went for our big, beginning of the month shopping extravaganza. I go to Shop Rite and LOVE the DEALS! My mom got me hooked on this store a few years ago and I can't give it up. I occasionally wander and go to Stop & Shop. I will admit, the scanners at S&S were VERY tempting to switch over. No, I'm faithful, unless I need to only pick up a few things on the weekend down near me!

After unloading all the groceries Jason was tired and decided to go lay down. Katie and Ben were outside. As I picked up, Katie came in and asked if we could go to the beach. Hmm. Not my favorite place, at all. Then I remembered my goal and promise to myself, I would take the kids to the beach a lot more this summer. Since Jason was taking a nap, we did a quick pack-up of snacks, drinks, towels and toys and jumped in the van and wham, bam we were there in 10 minutes. Although I don't like the beach, we are only 10 minutes away from our town beach. I need to take advantage. The kids love it. It's the perfect size beach and has a jetty to take a walk. We went at 2:30, so by 3:30 it was getting chilly. We headed home by 4 pm.

Yesterday, I went to WW and I'm happy to report that I am back on track after my 3lb slip with Jason being in the hospital. Then I went to go get my emissions done. It was expired. Well, I was shocked to learn that meant my car registration was expired!!! I had no idea I told the young kid at the hole in the wall emissions place, that the emissions and car registration went together. When did that happen I asked!? He wasn't to interested in my questions. He said I better get to the DMV this week! Well since there is a DMV 5 minutes away and it was only 10 am on Saturday, I decided to get my butt down there now! So I stopped for an Iced Coffee at D&D and headed down there. WoW the information line was long! As I waited I listened to all the stories being told around me. I got really nervous when the lady sitting next to the info line was telling a similar story to me. She had to get a number and wait. Hmmm. I was hoping to get this taken care of at the info counter. Oh, dear. I stopped drinking my coffee because I was getting nervous and didn't want to have to rush to the bathroom. Sorry, I know TMI!!! I was worried.
Well, $95 later, and no number, I was DONE!!! Phew.
Now, learn from my mistake...when you go to DMV to change your address make sure you don't just get a sticker for the back of your license, make sure the lady punches it into the computer. That way, you get your DMV notices!!!! DMV notices don't get forwarded in CT!! How ridicoulous is that!
Then it was off to a karate birthday party for Ben. It was a lot of fun and Ben was tired!
That night we watched Hotel for Dogs. Very cute movie. I would say a good family movie that the parents won't mind watching. I didn't even go on FB while watching!

So that's it in a nutshell. Now it's back to work tomorrow. Oh yeah, Jason goes to the doctor for his check-up tomorrow afternoon. He is feeling really good. Still tired, but little pain all day long! Yay.

Oh My It's Been Awhile!!

Well I Guess I Got A Little Behind!!
Well, let's start with Jason and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary on May 23rd. We were married on a beautiful and sunny day in Bristol, CT. We were married at my family church Immanuel Lutheran Church. We then had a fantastic reception at the Farmington Country Club. We were surrounded by family and friends and ate and danced the night away! Here are a few pictures of the day.



What's New, New....
Jason had to have another surgery. This time he had 1 1/2 feet of his large intestine taken out due to diverticulitis. Basically diverticulitis is referred to as the wonder bread disease, meaning pockets form along the inner wall and can cause holes. We've known for about 3 years that he has it. In the last year he's had several flare-ups and one very bad infection from it. After talking with two different surgeons after his gallbladder issue, they both strongly suggested he have this done. The hope is now he will feel A LOT better and we don't have to worry about more infections! He is home now and has one more week at home before he goes back for his check-up to clear him to go back to work. He needed to be out a total of three weeks. He spent five days in the hospital.
Jason is doing better every day this week (2nd week). He's eating normally, although he doesn't have much of an appetite and able to move around more and more.

Katie and Ben are doing really well with everything. They have been very helpful with Jason. Katie and Ben both love riding their bikes. Oh yeah, Ben learned how to ride his bike without his training wheels. He already popped one tire he rode it so much on our driveway, which is dirt and rocks. Luckily Nana and Poppy were able to bring down one that their friend Peyton outgrew! Phew. He is a maniac on it. He is crazy riding up and down, turning and crashing into my flowers and bushes. He's made many skids, he loves this and when he falls off, he just gets right back up!

Katie is very happy for her brother. She's been having fun painting, riding her bike and doing her archery in the back yard. She's had quite the spring with sleepovers and birthday parties! She has a very busy schedule.

Me, well I'm busy with work and looking forward to summer break. We had a very busy year at school and it went smoothly overall considering it was only my second year and my partners first year. It helped that she and I use to work together in birth to three so we knew each other pretty well. Now that it's spring, I'm trying hard to get the gardens in order. It is not easy. I get overwhelmed by the ones in the front. I'm going to try to stay ahead of it. The back yard gardens are looking good. Katie and I planted a lot of morning glories. We have them all over and heading towards the posts on the back porch. Wish us luck!

So here are a few pictures of some of the things we've been up to. Thanks for checking in and I hope you leave us a note to say hi:)

Easter Day

Katie painting outside.

Katie and Ben getting along! I caught it on film!!!



We watched my parents dog, Koda for a few days. I knew this wasn't going to be good but I kept taking pictures instead of stopping him...
CLICK ON EACH PICTURE SO YOU CAN GET THE FULL EFFECT!


Katie had a play/musical at school. Each second grade put on a short musical skit. It was very cute and well done.




Katie and I went to Aunt Marcella's Bridal Shower.

Memorial Day Parade, Brownie's march.




Today was Jason's first day out since his surgery. He wanted to go see his sweetie pie. It was a long morning but he was glad he went. It was good to get some fresh air.

Ben Rebounds Again...

How can I stay mad at this born comic!
This morning we were on our way to drop off the kids at school before heading to the hospital for Jason's surgery. FYI he got his gallbladder out and is home recuperating.

Anyway, Katie and Jason are talking more about the procedure and she asked if he was allergic to anything. Jason said no. She asked if she was. We said no.

Ben is sitting in the way back of the minivan and yells, "Am I allergic to anything?"
We tell him no so far.

Ben yells up in his matter of fact Ben voice, "Well I wish I was allergic to MILK. Then I wouldn't have to drink it!"

We could not stop laughing.

Oh, Ben.

P.S.
Very Funny comment DAD left regarding the last post. We'll see if you can zip it on Thursday :) !

I Could Scream!!!!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Katie decided to paint outside while we were working in the gardens/yard. Ben was around doing lots of different things. He was here, there and everywhere.

The phone rang. Ben came out to tell me it was for me. It was Kerri.

I go in the house and take the call. While I'm talking I'm looking into the living room through the kitchen and Ben says, "It was an accident."

I kinda blanked out. I listened to Kerri but didn't chat, because I was zoning out from the comment. As I am listening to Kerri I walk to the living room.

My face turns sour, my heart starts beating really fast and I feel myself getting ready to explode. I say goodbye to Kerri without mentioning what I am looking at. I go back in the kitchen to grab a sponge and paper towels.

Ben says, "Are you mad?"
I say, "Ben I am so mad at you I can't even yell at you."

I turn around and Ben has green paint on his nose, on his shirt and dripping down his leg.

I walk to the living room and stare at my lovely carpet that now has green paint on it.

Ben says, "It was an accident. Are you mad?"
I say, "Yes Ben I am. Why on earth would you think you could get your own paint and do it in the living room?"
Ben says, "I did but it spilled."
I say, "Ben go get me more wet paper towels."

This was the day that Ben's life was spared. I could have gone ballistic. I could have really yelled at him. I could have taken away every toy and every privilege until he was 18.

For those of you who have been around since we moved to this house, you know how much I love my living room carpet.

Well, now it has some green accent to it. It was acrylic paint.

Mom, Dad, please don't say anything.

It was one of those times, that I said to myself as I'm trying to soak up the green paint, "Lynn why did you leave the acrylic paint in the children's paint box?"

That is why I think my inner self control stepped in and God layed his hand on me to stay in control and not yell at Ben.

This is yet another lesson for us as parents. For us younger parents, who are learning from their mistakes...
If you let your kids use acrylic paint for wood craft projects, DON'T put it back in THEIR paint box.
Enough said.

Heard Around the House....

We are driving in the car and he says, "I wish I still had my tonsils."
Mom, "Why? You aren't getting sick anymore buddy."
Ben, "Because I want them back. Katie still has hers. Why does she still have hers?"
Katie, "My tonsils weren't to big. Your tonsils were to big so they had to be taken out."
Ben, "I want mine back!"
Katie, "Well, your not in charge. God has the plan for you and you needed your tonsils out."

The kids LOVE riding their bikes! They want to be outside all day.
Well, I'm outside puttering around and I hear Ben talking to himself and setting his bike up just so. When I asked him what he was doing he told me he was getting ready to race his friends! "They are invisible mom!" He was waiting at the starting line!
He also has an invisible radio on his bike:)

Last night I'm putting the kids to bed. Katie tries every angle to get to stay up later. She's just not tired she tells me!
Then I go to Ben and he tells me, "I'm just fun Mom. I can't sleep I'm all fun."
Huh? He went on to explain that he can't go to bed, he has to have fun all the time and sleeping is not fun!!!!

I love how he thinks!

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!
We had a wonderful day celebrating Jesus and enjoying time with family!
It's been a four day celebration really.
We started Thursday night at the Conroy's house to celebrate Liam making his First Communioun. We spent Friday with them and had a fun day at the Bronx Zoo. Amy and her kids and Jason and I and our kids all went. Uncle Mike had to work but we got to see him Friday night.







Saturday we stayed home. It was raining all day! Blah.....

Today we went to early service at church. It was a great message.
Then we saw our friends for a little bit before heading home.

Jason's family came over for dinner. It was a beautiful, sunny but chilly day. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we had a lot of yummy food. Ryan and Amy brought a black bean dip to start us off. Then we had a fantastic meal that everyone contributed ...
Lamb with Indian seasonings, Ham, bacon turnips, aspargus, mali kofta (some Indian dish) strawberry salad and a potato/zuchinni/squash dish. It was all so good.
Then we enjoyed dessert brought by Amy's parents who also joined us today. She brought a bunch of delicious pies and cookies. We also enjoyed the Rice Krispie Treat Eggs that the kids and I made. So yummy!

Our kids were the only kids but they had fun goofing around with Aunt Marcella and Uncle Ryan. Aunt Marcella helped me get the egg hunt ready for them and they had fun and ACTUALLY got along!!!! WoW!

So that was our day. Enjoy the pictures!

I Just Love My Kids

Just wanted to let you all know that Katie and I have had a much better week!!
WooHoo! Thanks for the comments, emails and phone calls showing your support!

I am so thankful for all my family and friends support in all areas of our lives!
Thank you too for the all my Birthday Wishes. I had a lovely day starting off with lots of hugs and kisses sending me off to work. Laura, my partner in crime, (I mean education) brought me flowers and a balloon! Then, Jason made me a delicious dinner of talapia, shrimp and scallops with mixed vegetables and melon. Katie picked out a Friendly's Jubilee Roll for dessert. YumYum! Her card was great, it read "from the one you love most". Oh that girl!!! Ben showered me with gifts from his room that he wrapped up in hand towels. I felt very privileged to have his snugly puppy for the night! They also got me the new Kelly Clarkson CD. WOOHOO!

Tonight they had some funny things to say...

At dinner Katie was very silly. I was joking about what an angel I was growing up. She said laughing..."oh no you were no angel. I remember how you told me when Nana got so mad at you because you didn't read a book you said you did. I have it locked right up here!" As she points to her head/brain!

Ben was getting ready to have a bopper match with Daddy. He was sneaking around getting ready and came up to me and asked, "Mom, can you blow these up? Do you have enough air?"

I just love my kids!