Flashback Friday - Our Engagement

FEBRUARY 29, 2000

So... I was working at Diamond Vogel in the paint and stain department and the subject of Ed and I came up. Specifically about when we were going to get married. (Remember we had our first date at the beginning of that month - we met on December 26, 1999 - so we didn't know each other too long.) So... after a lengthy courtship... har har... I just knew that we were going to get married. So... I was talking to a fellow coworker of mine and he said that day just happened to be "Sadie Hawkin's Day". A day where the girls ask the guys to marry them. I was like, "YES!" and the planning began. After work I went and bought a new outfit and got all gussied up. I called Ed's mom and told her to tell Ed not to eat because I was picking him up. I drove to his house and proceeded to blindfold him. I led him to my periwinkle Dodge Shadow and off we went. I played him a song by Reba McEntire "Read My Mind" which goes a little something like this:

"Read my mind... It will tell you that I love you and... you're all I ever wanted in a man..."

Okay... you get the picture. I drove him to The Brown Bottle, a local Italian restaurant, and pulled the car up onto the curb. (I was nervous... OKAY!) Okay... back off the curb and resituated my car. I took off his blindfold and proceeded to tell him why I loved him... yes I was crying. At the end of my lovefest, I got out my $0.44 ring pop and asked him to marry me. Of course he said, "Yes"... and the rest is history.

So... we met December 26th, 1999... had our first date on February 4th , 2000... got engaged on February 29th, 2000... got married on May 5th, 2000 and have been happily married for almost 8 years now!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Learning and Growing

Jaren has been growing and learning little by little each day. I had introduced him to a sippy cup at around six months old, but he still really shows no interest in it. This was one of the first times that he held it and pretty much just slobbered all over it, tipped it over and rolled it off his tray and onto the floor. Oh well, we'll keep trying!

I guess video games are among Jaren's favorites! He is very grabby when it comes to stuff the kids are playing with. It's fun to see him try and get involved. He is really content to sit near them even if he can't participate in what Ollie and Eden are doing. He loves to people watch. It's hilarious to watch his face when the rest of us are eating. He moves his mouth like he's chewing his food right along with the rest of us! He's still pretty gaggy when we try and introduce chunkier foods to him.

He's got six teeth now, four on top and two (working on three) on the bottom. I know he's just miserable when he's teething. Captain drooly red-cheeks! On top of that he's still dealing with his horribly itchy eczema and respiratory problems. Poor little man. Lately he's even been sporting a Simon Cowell boxed buzz cut. I really need to address that soon... :)

He also has just learned to clap. He gives me a five and he also claps as well. We sing songs and do finger rhymes as well and he just loves it! He really pays attention whenever I'm trying to teach him something, but he usually doesn't try things on his own until we've done it a few times. I LOVE hearing him laugh. He laughs when we blow raspberries on his tummy and whenever we startle him. You'd think he'd freak out, but he LOVES it! This video shows him laughing each time Ed flings his earplugs in front of him... I LOVE IT!!!

Let's Hear it for Leap Year!!!

For all of you who didn't know that I proposed to Ed on Leap Year day 2000... well... now you know!

So, tonight Ed and I celebrated our Engagement Anniversary which only comes around once every four years.

We went to dinner at Mama Nick's Circle Pizzaria and I had the grossest Chicken Alfredo I've ever eaten. (I actually had it in a box to bring home and throw it away... I felt bad, but totally forgot it on the table when we left!

Ed got chicken strips and shared a couple with me. One even looked like a rhinosaurus! It even had the two horns on it's nose! Yes... I HAD to get a picture of it. I felt bad to have eaten him, but that remorse didn't last for too long! I think the second picture shows it better!

Then we were going to see the movie "Juno" again, which was a really good movie I thought, but Ed really wanted me to see "No Country for Old Men", which won best picture at the Academy Awards I do believe. I would have to say for me it was too bloody, but it was a film that made you think. Ed really likes the Cohen brothers so he really enjoyed it. He had gone to it with my brother, Chad, a few weeks ago and they both liked it. Ed said that he understood it alot better the second time around.

It was so nice to go out and spend time together. I was going to send Ed flowers at work today with a note that said, "I'm glad you said yes!", but I thought that might embarrass him, so I spared him the awkward comments for the day!

Also, thanks Mike and Mandy for watching the kids for us! I'm glad they were good for you guys! And don't worry about the pizza episode!!! Hehehe

Student of the Week - Oliver

Oliver was Student of the Week last week and we got to eat with him on Wednesday during his lunch.

Oliver reminds me of Nacho in this picture.

He wanted us to bring him McDonalds and so I got some food for Ed and I as well. We saw Oliver sitting at the lunchtable waiting for us and so we sat down beside him. It wasn't too long after that when I saw a young girl sitting about three seats down from me, crying. I scooted over next to her and rubbed her back and asked her if someone was coming to eat lunch with her and she said, "No. My mom can't come." The school counselor came over to us and asked if she wanted to wait until next week to eat with her mom then. She said that her mom can't ever come. I offered her some of our food and so she scooted next to us and I introduced her to everyone at the table. She immediately perked up a bit and even smiled. I asked her what her name was and what grade she was in. She really liked Jaren and said that she had a baby brother at home who was 5 months old. We even let her hold him for a while after she was done eating.

This was taken with our camera. The one with Cambren in it was taken with the school camera. I'll have to get a copy of it.

After that we went into the hallway for our pictures to be taken. The counselor said that Cambren must have her picture taken with us! I was glad we could help her out. She was a sweet girl. Then a few days later I got such a nice Thank You card in the mail from the school's counselor. It was really nice.

A Weekend of Celebrations

This past weekend my mom, Willie (the dog) and I traveled to Clinton to celebrate my Grandparent's 60th Wedding Anniversary (Feb. 14) and my Grandmother's 80th Birthday (Feb. 28).

This photo is of her at 18 years old. Doesn't she look like a movie star!?

Her party was on Saturday, February 23rd and we celebrated with family and a potluck. Their anniversary party was the next day after church and several of their church friends were in attendance.

This is a love note to Grandma from Mookie. Many years ago, my brothers found this little guy on the floor of her church and since then, he shows up everywhere. My brother would hide it somewhere in my Grandparent's house and then when they found him, they would bring him to our house and hide him there. He's been to California and several parties including my brother's graduation party. He just couldn't stay away from the delicious cake! He's taken upon himself the duties of a thimble!

Grandma looking at the picture board that I made for them. She still didn't see Mookie hiding in the corner, until Mom pointed him out!

I had made a trifold with photos of Grandma and Grandpa as well as information about the years of birth and their anniversary in 1948.

We also had music from the 40's and 50's playing in the background. Here Grandma is telling her sister in law about some of the pictures.

My Uncle Mike put this "Girlz gone Wild" photo together with a picture of Grandma during a girls weekend. She's so beautiful!

Here is Mookie laying down in a bed of roses! Peek-a-boo... Mookie sees you!

We found some nice pictures of their wedding day as well as when they were dating. I love the black and white photos!

Another magazine cover... "Playbox" I just love that picture of her! She said it was a pale green dress with black print.

Willie trying to get his head in between our arms. He did a pretty good job on the ride down and back.

Here is a HUGE snowdrift that the plows have pushed to the side. I hate all of this snow!

***MORE PICTURES COMING***

Our Family Valentine's Day Dinner

February 14, 2008

This is a family tradition that I started when Eden was only 18 months old and Oliver was almost three. I couldn't believe how much everything cost on this one day. Ed and I can go out to eat any other day and not have to fight the crowds. He can buy me flowers any other time of the year, and save so much more money than on Valentine's day.

As dinner was nearing, I had this thought pop into my head, "Why don't we have a fancy candlelight dinner with the ones that we love the most... our own family?" Ed ran to the store to get the fixing for fettucine alfredo and spaghetti (for Oliver). He also stopped by Fazoli's to get some of their yummy breadsticks (which are a tradition to this day).

Dinner had finally come and I set the table the fanciest way that I could, with a tablecloth and a small piece of lace that I had kept. I had two wine glasses for Ed and I to put sparkling cider in and candles lit all over the table. We feasted on fettucine, spaghetti, salad and breadsticks. I also had a chocolate fondue to dip some strawberries in for dessert.

The kids ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and so it remains one of our favorite family traditions. We've expanded to invite others to join in with us as well. Who knows... it may be YOU next year!

I've had several friends pick up on this idea and the result is always the same! It seems that the kids LOVE it and want to have candles with every meal for the next several days! The older the kids get the more they help prepare the atmosphere and the food! We all look forward to it every year. It's so much fun!!!

"The Spread" Jaren awaiting his FIRST FAMILY VALENTINE'S DINNER at 7 months old.


Ed and Oliver enjoying their meals. My silly boys!
Oliver, Eden, my mom and me. I couldn't let my breadstick leave my hand for one moment, they are so delicious!

"CHEERS!" Oliver and Eden. This year we tryed a sparkling green apple cider and man was it delish!









"I'm bringing sexy back"... WHAT?!?
Eden diving into her pudding! We didn't have alot of strawberries this year so she had pudding for dessert.
Introducing "Princess Jaren"... with pureed carrots all over his mug! That was his dinner for the night. What a cute little man, with or without the crown!

Oliver trying to lick the chocolate which was pretty much solid by that time except for around the rim!!! He says that he looks like a devil with it around his mouth like that!

A Clean Bill of Health

On the morning of the 13th, I drove my mom to the hospital to have a flexible sigmoidoscope. She had some pollops removed a few weeks ago during her colonoscope. She finally went to see the doctor after over a year of bleeding. I can't believe that she had waited so long. I'm sure she didn't want to worry anyone. The doctor said that it was a good thing that she came when she did and encouraged her to have my brothers and I get one soon just to be on the safe side.

We were there at about 7:15 am and so we chatted for a bit while the nurses got her paperwork filled out and all of that fun stuff. She had said before, during her colonoscope, that she felt alot of pain even though she was given "enough medicine for three patients". She was nervous about not being given enough this time. Anyways... she was rolled into the room for the test at about 8:05 am and was done around 8:50 am. I couldn't believe that she was done so fast! I could tell that she was still a bit out of it because she kept repeating herself! She did say that this time it felt MUCH better and the doctor said that she had half of the amount of meds that she did last time! Who knows... I'm just glad she didn't have to go through so much pain this time!

The doctor had come in and told us that he had just gone up and checked it out to make sure the pollops were gone and took some tissue biopsies as well and some crazy rectal pictures that I just happened to get a glimpse of! WOE IS ME! I COULD HAVE GONE WITHOUT SEEING THAT! I tryed to talk with mom and make her laugh to keep her spirits up. She even asked me if the doctor had been in to see us and I reminded her that she even asked him some questions. I made sure that we were given the written information and that I didn't leave anything out.

The nurse came in and kept asking her if she was passing gas yet. She kept on saying no and then HOLY COW... did she let it RIP! After each one we were both in hysterics from laughing so hard. She'd laugh hard and more would come rolling out! Long, Loud and Snappy. I told her it's the "Rumble in the Bronx"! One was like a smorgasboard of different sounds... like it was talking to me! Ok... crude... I know... but if you knew my family... you'd understand. I'm nuttier than a squirrel turd! And THAT IS FOR SURE!

So... after two days... mom came over and said that she was good to go! We were all relieved to hear it! I don't know what I would have done if it had been the bad news. We could do without some cancer for a while in this family. So... we are relieved! Thanks to all of my friends who were praying for her. It meant alot to know that you all cared about her!

Buzz clippers gone wild!

Jaren has been sporting a rather thin comb over for several months and finally it just drove me to go over the edge. Yes... I got out the not-so-reliable buzz clippers and went to town. I sat him in his high chair and moved him into the bathroom where the sad event transpired. I grabbed the largest attachment thinking that it was the one inch clip and it was not... hence my horror when I shaved off the first strip of hair. Jaren was just staring at me and slapping his hands joyfully on his high chair tray. I looked at what I had just done and immediately started laughing hysterically!!! I couldn't believe it! Then the more strips I cut, the more I started to tear up and think... oh my gosh... what the crap did I just do? Anyways... at this point Jaren was no longer joyful, but getting rather squirrelly and starting to get upset. SO... I couldn't get it even and I had to stop at a mullet for the evening. Ed got home and started to laugh when I told him what happened! Later on I trimmed off the long parts that I had missed. I still need to get the sides and back more even, but oh well... a mullet never hurt anyone. Not on purpose anyway. He looks like a big boy now. Like a big hillbilly boy. No... he does look cute. Really.

"WHAT DID MOM DO TO ME!!!!!!"

"Okay... maybe it's not THAT BAD."

Student of the Week - Eden

Eden was Student of the Week earlier this month. She was originally scheduled to have it in January, but had the flu on Monday and Tuesday and then had a snow day on Friday. She still had a short week due to some more snow days, but at least she got to be recognized.

Eden and her teacher telling the students about her poster.

We made her a poster about herself to share with the class and we even got to come bring her McDonald's for lunch and eat with her. One day she brought her favorite book to read to the class and a sack full of her favorite things.

A celebratory cheer of sorts. A firework impersonation... or something like that!

The principal came in and gave her some goodies and congratulated her on being a good student. It's always fun to come to the kids special events at school! I love to see how special they feel!

More About Me Monday - Pet Peeves

So if you really want to know how to bug the crap out of me... just follow these few simple idiotic rules of engagement:

#1. Walk right down the middle of the street, alone or with 20 of your equally ignorant friends, when there is a perfectly usable sidewalk a few feet away. Welcome to 'the hood' of which we live.

#2. Don't move when a vehicle, especially my green van 'The Hulk', is approaching and seconds away from giving you a ride around town on its hood ornament... ok... it doesn't have a hood ornament, but you get my drift.

#3. Talk on your cell phone while driving and then give ME a dirty look while YOU aren't paying attention to who has the right of way.

#4. Pull into a parking spot when I've been waiting for that parking spot long before you arrived! TOWANDA!

#5. Worse yet, park in the new and expectant mothers parking spot and then be a MAN when you exit the car with NO EXPECTANT WOMAN or NEW MOTHER traveling with you! Seriously... do people realize how heavy carseats with babies in them are!?!

#6. Call me during dinner time, heck... ANY TIME, and don't say a word and wait for me to say "Hello" about two more times and THEN decide that you want to talk to me... for all of the lovely telemarketers out there.

#7. Smoke right outside a store so I can walk through a cloud of smoke and smell like your nasty ciggies all day long! Mmmmm... Yuuuuuummmm.

#8. Think that you are better than me or anyone else for that matter, simply because you have on some designer clothing or an ugly as sin designer handbag. Yeeeeeaaaaah... you are paying for a tag people... A TAG! Yeah. I'm so jealous that you spend an insane amount of money in order to feel superior... not gonna work. You can have that ugly as sin handbag, but you still have issues!

#9. Be nice to my face and be a complete jerk behind my back. Pretty... uh... self explanatory.

#10. Be my computer. If you want to tick me off beyond all recognition, just be my craptastic computer. You may enjoy "Dell's Wild Ride" out of my dining room window and end up in hell like Mr. Toad.

That's it for now. I'm going to bed. Goodnight.

Who knew pipe cleaners could be so much fun?!

One day after school, the girls and I got crazy with crafts in preparation for Valentine's Day.
They played with papers, stickers, stamps, paints and PIPE CLEANERS!

We even made some crowns, flowers, wands, necklaces and some heart shaped glasses!








The whole family had fun making the heart shaped glasses! I even made some tiny red heart ones for Jaren!

Just Jaren

I love these pictures of Jaren! The t-shirt was Oliver's when he was Jaren's age, 7 months. I love the different looks on his face!

You can see one of his dimples really well in this picture!
This pic is a little fuzzy, but you can see two of his five teeth. "HUH?"

Such a sweet little man!

His 7 month comb-over!

"Wasabi?!"

"Where are your tootsies?"

He gets his pelvic thrusting ability from his mother. (I'm refering to the "Rock Band" blog posted in January)