Christmas

Merry Christmas to All from The Fisher's!!!!

To Walmart I will go....To Walmart I will go...la la la la la...To Walmart I will go!

So it is Sunday evening and I am prepping to go to Walmart. I know I know I feel like a traitor to my beloved Super Target but every Christmas I have to make a Walmart run. This afternoon I ran to Scheels and was stuck in the parking lot for 25 min, and Kevin & I made a quick (wait... is there such thing as a quick trip this time of year) to Target. They were out of pretty much everything we needed and the employee who had to keep locking and unlocking the video game console was getting frustrated that we couldn't decide. So tonight I go...i go where all women must go for their family....WALMART. I will park a long ways from the doors for that Im sure. I will smile nicely at the man who says, "Welcome to Walmart want a cart!" I will walk down every isle until I have every last stocking stuffer, wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, toys, and groceries that I need to make Christmas perfect for my family. I will wait in line at one of the 3 check out lines that will be open and I will load my car up in the cold, then unload when I get home! My sister Emily is coming with me so I'm sure we will have laughs, laughs, and more laughs!!! Oh how excited I am to go to Walmart!

TGIF...

It's finally friday! Can I get a HOORAY!!! It's been a long week. Getting Christmas presents sent out, Christmas cards done and sent, Christmas shopping, youth group party, school parties today, wow I'm wiped! Now the kids are home and it's offically Christmas vacation! Time to sled, bake, sleep in, watch movies, be with our family and friends! My favorite time of year for sure!! (I know I'm singing a different tune since my last entry.)

Yesterday was my 31st birthday, and it was a great day! It started by waking up to starbucks and a necklace from my family. It is a family tree necklace from lisaleonardesigns.com! It is gorgeous and I'm totally in love with it. Check her website out and prepare to fall in love yourself. Thank you to MckMama at mycharmingkids.blogspot.com for sharing her site with everyone! Then I had lunch with my hubby, bro & sis inlaw, and parents at P.f. Changs, and then dessert at Cheesecake Factory! Red Velvet Cheesecake...yummy may I say it is a slice of culinary HEAVEN! I ate to my hearts content! What a great day!

Now a week until Christmas!!!! Can hardly wait!

Thinking It's Time To Hibernate...

While I do love this time of year with all the holiday spirit it can also make me a bit cranky.

#1. The cold...running around getting things done is a pain when it is -20 below wind chill and you have to get a 3 year old in and out of the car. Then when you finally get in to wherever you are going you have to wipe frozen snot off of his face as well as your own. The cold that chills you down to the bone and the heat in your car doesn't start really feeling good until your at your destination.

#2. The icy roads...I can honestly say I have never had road rage until the last 2 days. Not towards other drivers just the roads themselves. I have been stuck 3 times in the last 48 hrs. Not in snow but going up a slight incline on ice. Holding up traffic twice. The morning commute to school has been taking about 30 min which usually on a normal day takes about 10.

#3. People. Seriously....Isn't it Christmas time? Doesn't that mean people are happy and full of cheer and good will towards men? I had a girl flip me the finger in a parking lot because I wasn't leaving my parking spot I was just taking bags to my car. It would have been one thing if I was the only one that saw it but my daughter was standing with me. Or people in such a hurry to get a toy of a shelf they shove you and don't even say excuse me.

The last two days have been enough for me. I'm glad to say I am done Christmas shopping...gifts that need to be mailed have been and my Christmas cards have been sent. I think Gray & I will be staying home from now on only leaving to get kids to and from school. Im scared of whats outside the walls of my home.....

Fun Pictures

Christmas Tree Farm! Noah & Gray thought they could ride on the roof and hold the tree down!





















Taytum & Me at Thanksgiving!

















Andy & Mandy












Noah & Gray at Coco Key's

NO MORE SNOW DAYS!

Lincoln Public School out for 3 days in a row...It is unheard of, and yet here we are having our 3rd day in a row stuck at home. I'm not enjoying the sound of whining and complaining...fighting and arguing. I'm ready for them to be back with their teachers. I don't sound like a very good mother right now I know. I was able to get out with the boys for a little bit. Did some Christmas shopping, mailed my brothers present to Germany, and ate at McDonalds. What a ZOO!!!! Everyone had the same idea I think. Lets all meet at McDonalds and see how many people we can fit into one booth so everyone in the restaurant has a place to sit! Gray spilled soda everywhere, ate ketchup straight out of the cup, and I was sweating because there wasn't anywhere for me to place my coat if I took it off. Now I'm ready for a nap or for their dad to get off work. 5 o'clock where r u?

Computer Contest!!!

So you have to check out this WONDERFUL...INSPIRATIONAL BLOG I follow! She is having a computer giveaway contest! MckMama has a darling family, and many great words from the heart! You won't be disappointed following her! http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html

Love your Neighbor?

So the Bible says in Leviticus 19: 18....


Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

So I'm wondering if I have to take that literally...Do I really have to love my neighbor? Of course I know the answer to that but for me to love my neighbor will take a lot of help from the big guy from who these words came from.

We moved into our house a little over a year ago and our neighbor has given us the impression time & time again that he doesn't like us. Our house has been a rental so I think they have had quite a few people in and out over the years so maybe he thinks we will be the same way. Sorry we are here to stay. Another neighbor says he doesn't like kids, again sorry we have 4 of them. We have walked on egg shells, been overly nice, kept our kids quiet if we are outside at the same time, always wave when we see them, we especially Kevin have went above and beyond. He once returned Kevin's wave with a groan and an eye roll. They once accused our cat of stealing one of their Koi fish from their pond in their backyard. Isn't it funny that the night of this said incident our cat was resting comfortably downstairs on Liv's bed and he doesn't have claws. Oh and I'm sure it couldn't be one of the many raccoons we have running a muck in the neighborhood after dark. So I'm writing this today because of the snow. There were a few days last winter that I scooped the sidewalk clear to their driveway while they were at work so that he didn't have to do it when he got home. Was I kissing up? DEFINITELY! I thought maybe it would show him that we were nice people. So this morning after I took the kids to school I noticed he had already been up and used his snow blower on his driveway and on the sidewalk in front of his house and all the way to the driveway to the neighbor on the other side of him. However he made a definite stop on our property line with a big pile of his snow blown on to our sidewalk. So when I went out to scoop I had a little extra! : ) How thoughtful!

So all this to say I have a hard time loving him. So I will ask God to help me forgive him and ask him for encouragement to keep on trying to be a GREAT neighbor to Mr. Scrooge.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

What a great Sunday it has been. Snowing since this morning. There is a beautiful blanket of white all around. House is cleaned....Christmas trees are up....Christmas lights are a glow....Chilli is simmering on the stove...cinnamon rolls are in the oven...we have some Christmas goodies made.... Oh what a day! Family, Fun, Smiles, Laughter, & Joy all around! Just one of those perfect days!!!

Let The Birthday Week Begin!!!!

On Wed. my little "Noah Bear" will be turning 7. Just typing this brings tears to my eyes. Where has the time gone. I remember when my little 7lb 11oz. baby boy came into this world on a Monday afternoon at 3:08pm. The cutest little guy I have ever seen and at that moment I was head over heels in love!!!

He has had the nickname "Bear" from the time he took his first breath, and he is every bit a cuddly snuggley bear. His eyelashes go on and on and on, everyone we meet mentions them. He loves soccer, and football, and wants to be a football player when he grows up then join the army. He loves hunting with Grandpa, playing legos , and loves everything Starwars! He is a ball of unending energy, and likes to pester his sisters. (thats an understatement) He loves school and is a great reader. His best friends are Nick, Tanner,& his cousins. His favorite color is blue & red. Loves the Huskers! His favorite food is spaghetti and favorite restaurant is Red Robin! He loves telling his baby brother about having Jesus in his heart!

We are taking him to Coco Key's Water Park tomorrow night to spend the night and then spend Wed. all day swimming and going down waterslides. This is a surprise to him so I am excited!!!

Noah Bear I love you so much!!! Happy Birthday!

Thanksgiving Calories

I heard something this morning that blew my mind...

The average person consumes 5000 calories on Thanksgiving Day! WOW! That's a lot. That includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sweet potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie.....

Advice to make your day less...

Plan ahead, use ingredients that have no fat or less fat. Skip out on seconds. Only eat the things you really love don't waste calories on things you don't care that much for but feel like you must take some. Be creative.....find new recipes, start new traditions. Plan an activity after dinner when you feel like sleeping. A long family walk, a game of family football out in the yard, the Wii.... Most important make the holiday about "Giving Thanks" for what God has given to you! Not about food....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Mad Dash Mommy at Target!!!

This morning I witnessed a little bit of mad chaos at my FAVORITE store in the WORLD!!! You all know how much you LOVE Super Target too.

My mom and I went there last night so I could help her get all the grand kids gifts for Christmas. I was also looking for a remote controlled car for Gray, that may I add was on sale and I had a $10 off coupon for. Well they were out of it but told me to check back in the morning because one and only one was coming in on the truck and would be on the shelf at 8 am when they opened the doors.

Well beings target is just 1 (and only 1 close) block from Noah's school I zipped over there after I kissed him and quickly shooed him out of the van. ( Geesh Noah walk faster I'm in a hurry to get to Target...did I really just admit that) I arrived at 8:05 and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, about 50 more than usual. (Ok how do I know how many cars are usually in the parking lot at that time?.......hmmmm didn't I say its my favorite store.) May I also add that I hadn't brushed my hair and Gray & I were both still in P.J's. (No one will tell my husband this he would die) I briskly (or kind of ran) walked to the toy section and to my SURPRISE was 1 and only 1 car. Which was swiftly thrown into my cart and covered with my coat while Gray was fixated on a Dora doll that he wants. (and he is not getting) Then suddenly I remembered why I put my heavy coat on...I wasn't wearing a bra. (who wears one with their P.J's..and another thing my husband must never know.)

Then the DREADED thing happened.....I ran into someone I knew. I tried to wipe the mascara from yesterday off from under my eyes, and hide the fact I wasn't wearing a bra and had my P.J's on. Then I realized all the mommy's kind of looked the same except one and I assume she has a nanny because without one how can one possibly look that good.

Well as I walked around with a proud smile on my face because my trip was successful there were many that didn't, they had the look of frustration and disappointment. They were there after one thing a ZUU ZUU (sp?) Pet. What is this? I didn't know either. It's an Electronic Pet Hamster. WHAT? That's what everyone is going crazy over? Supposedly they got 8 of them in and that wasn't enough for the 15 drooling Pit Bull Moms who were sprinting for them with their claws out.

I made my way out and thought to myself... I sure am glad my kids don't want a hamster, my claws are in such a desperate need of a manicure I would sure hate to be fighting Moms for one.
Just Kidding!!!!

Never Run With Scissors....I mean Paper

Ok , around 3:00 pm yesterday Grayson was running with a paper sword he rolled up himself and had a little accident. He poked himself in the eye. After listening to him cry for 1 hr. I called the eye Dr. and took him in. Dr. Reins found a chunk the size of a pencil eraser cut out right in the middle of his cornea. OUCH!!!! He said we must have a very tough guy for him to even have his eye open. (We kind of had the same thing happen with Noah when he was around this age) So he sent us home with eye drops, and instructions to give him benadryl to knock him out, tylenol, and a low key, dark environment for the next 2 days!!!! So blinds are pulled shut light are off and we are relaxing. They checked his vision and he could not see anything out of the injured eye which they expected but I think it is fine already this morning! They will check it tomorrow when we go in to have it checked!!! No more paper swords for this boy! My friend Wendy said, " It's all fun and games till someone gets a chunk of cornea ripped out." I thought that was really FUNNY!

My Worst Day Ever.... -Noah

Ok...so yesterday I picked Noah up from school and it is always the highlight of my day. Watching him skip to the car with a HUGE smile on his face is PRICELESS!!! However, yesterday was different. I spotted by little "Bear" coming out of the building with a very sad face : ( I opened the door and said.....

Me: "Noah what's wrong?"
Noah: "Mom I had the Worst day ever."
Me: "Noah what happened?" (expecting something awful because of his expression)
Noah: "The two girls I like the best hurt my feelings...Morgan was braghing that she was a better writer than me and Haley told me to zip my lips because I was talking."

I tried not to laugh because it seemed like such silly things to be so upset about but I hugged him and told him.....

Me: "Sometimes people say things that they don't mean, and we have to forgive them because that's what Jesus would want us to do. "
Noah: "Ok but I better tell them to get Jesus in their hearts so they won't talk mean to people anymore."
Me: "Well even though we have Jesus in our hearts doesn't mean we don't make mistakes."
Noah: "Mom you should be a Sunday School Teacher becuase you sound just like one!"

I love my Little Noah Bear!!!!

Black Closet?

I'm wondering if most women look in their closet and see a majority of one color or are their closets a varitey of colors! Like a rainbow! I walked into my closet this morning and thought do I wear black of black. Sure I have clothes that are pink, red, blue, green, and even orange (my mom once told me that blondes can't wear yellow or orange but I'm a rebel) . However I will have to admit that 3/4 of my closet is black. When I shop and see a new top I usually see if it comes in black. Not sure why. More slimming? So my goal is to not buy anything black for 6 months. Try something new!!! What colors are the majority of your clothes?

LOCK IN

Tonight the twins are at their first church lock in.... They were so excited! I remember having lock-ins at my church when I was in junior high and high school. They were going swimming and playing basketball at the Ymca then the girls were getting bussed back to the church for the remainder of the time and the boys stay at the Y. I think that is a great idea. Keep boys and girls separated!!!! So I will pick them up at 7 am and then we are in for a treat. Tired and crabby girls for the rest of the weekend! Fun for us!!! I made them do their homework, cleaning, and laundry before they could go so they wouldn't have to worry about it this weekend! I'm excited for them I have great memories of these fun nights once upon a time when I was young!

Where Did October Go?

October! October! Where did you go? Its the middle of November and my favorite month of the year has come and gone. October was a busy month. We had out first snow, Grayson turned 3, halloween, pumpkin patch, Kevin had his appendix out, girls both had strep throat, Andy had his surgery, Kevin & I's 11th wedding anniversary, OH YEAH AND I WENT TO EUROPE!!!! WOW!

Kevin is fully recovered, Andy is home after almost 3 weeks in the hospital, and I had a GREAT time in Europe. Allison & I traveled to Geneva, Switzerland...Milan, Italy....London, England....Paris, France....Brussels, Belgium...& Amsterdam, Holland. An amazing time, lifelong memories, great laughs, & a closer friendship. What more could a girl ask for? Despite having his appendix out 2 days before I left my husband did AWESOME with the kids for 2 weeks. How blessed am I?

Fun & Crazy times at the Fisher house! But we wouldn't do it any other way! Pictures to come!!!

Mr. Mom!!!

I am now down to 5 days until I leave for Europe...leave my kids for 2 weeks. I'm feeling a little sad because I won't be able to talk to them while I am gone. I'm starting to fill overwhelmed by all there is to do before I go, but most of all I'm nervous about Kevin taking care of everything and being "Mr. Mom". Does he know all I do to make this house and family run smoothly. If not I think he will have a better appreciation for it when this 2 weeks is over. Volleyball practice, chorus, youth group, library days at school, clothes for PE days, soccer practice, football practice, soccer games, vball games, football games, volunteering at Noah's school, what day we carpool which day we don't, Noah's school snack, Grayson's potty schedule, when to put dinner on the table so it doesn't interfere with evening activities, birthday parties, where to pick up and drop off at both schools, what time to leave the house so your not stuck in traffic at one school so you can get to the other one on time. Wow its exhausting just thinking about it. I know I have to let it all go and just trust that it will all get done and if something gets missed then life will go on. Or if they eat McDonalds happy meals for 2 weeks they won't die. (Maybe put on 5 lbs. but not die) I want to go away and not worry about anything and enjoy this time away with Allison. Knowing that I may never have a 2 week vacation away from my responsibilities again. Well I better get started on the BIG calendar I'm making for Kevin that will be taped across our dining room wall ...so BIG he will be able to see everything he has to remember while I'm sitting in Paris at a cafe enjoying tea and pastries!!!

KUDOS to Glamour!!!!

Ok so I will admit I have an addiction...Its to magazines. I love them, I love reading about face products, styling products , what in whats out in fashion, whats the latest exercise craze. I love it love it love it... You may even find me with paper cuts on my wrist from rubbing the perfume samples on myself. : )You know how some women love it when their husbands bring them flowers I would love it more if I was to get a magazine. (now I'm not crazy I love flowers too...Oh just the thought of red gerber daisies makes me giddy) I don't have to many I get delivered to my house only Shape, Marie Claire, Weight Watchers, and Glamour. I only pay for these because I have this problem that when little kids come to my door selling magazines I can't say NO. Others I read on my night out. I try to take a "me" night once a week and it often includes a Starbucks latte and a mag. at Barnes and Nobles. I think they probably cringe everytime they see me come in and say to themselves, there is that lady who reads all our magazines and never buys one. Ok so to my point about why I'm saying Kudos (sp?) to Glamour. (Oh and by the way I also cut out any bad words about "sex" on the cover so when they are sitting around my house my kids don't see it.)

Last month Glamour ran a picture about a PLUS SIZE MODEL....Did you know I could be a PLUS SIZE MODEL because that means your a size 10 or 12. In modeling if you are a 6 or above you are often moved up to plus sized modeling. But we call plus size clothing anything size 14 and up. It makes no sense. I think a 10 or 12 is average not plus size. But I guess when your comparing them to the average model who is a size 0 it is plus size. Well they ran a picture of a 21 yr old named Lizzie Miller who is a size 12-14. She is beautiful, she has a little tummy pooch and everything. They also state that this size is the average American Womens size, and the size of Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor back in the day when they were all that. All this to say the feedback that Glamour has recieved is amazing. Men writing in to say Thank you for putting women in that have curves and real bodies, and women saying thank you for putting women in that they can actually realte to as far as body types. So Glamour this month has put a photo in with 7 plus size models or sz 10-14 and all are beautiful, and stated that they are going to start putting a lot more normal size women in their issues so that women start feeling and seeing more of the norm. The 7 models they have in the picture have been models before at a smaller size and didn't have healthy lives because they were trying to be skinnier than what was healthy for them. They state that being skinny is not bad, but when your a larger boned woman don't try to make your self a size 0 or 2 be the healthiest you can be in your own body and if that means your a size 10 and not a 6 be ok with it. Embrace what God gave you and love yourself.

I know what size I am has been an issue since I was younger but Im glad I am at a place where I am glad and thankful for the body God gave me. I strive to be healthy and live a healthy lifestyle, and am so thankful that I have children even though carrying babies caused my body to have some imperfections.....I love every last imperfection...well most of the time.

A Soup Recipe for Jen

Vegetable Cheese Soup

4 Chicken Bouillin Cubes
1Quart of Chicken Broth
4 cups of diced potatoes
2 cups of diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cups of diced carrots

Cook above for 20 min then add:

1-20oz. bag frozen broc. & cauli. mix

Cook until all vegetables are tender. Add 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of water, & 1lb. of velveeta cheese. Cook on low heat until melted!

Enjoy! So Yummy! This is my kids favorite and is even better warmed up the next day for leftovers...I love soup season!

Cleaning Fairy...Where r u?

Why is it so hard to clean house. I'm a stay at home mom for cryin out loud. Im having a party at me house in the very near future and I need to clean. I have 3 levels and I have been planning on taking one level a day and deep cleaning. The basement first, then the upstairs then the main level. But I have no motivation. Having Noah home has consumed alot of my time but he does sleep alot. But then I am playing with Gray. I feel like when I spend all day working on laundry just trying to stay caught up and picking up one mess after another with Gray and nursing Noah back to health I dont want to clean. I want to sit and do nothing. Then i have to fit in homework and bonding with the twins, a workout and doing 3 meals a day for our family... I am pooped just thinking about it. God will not give me than I can handle RIGHT? I would like to hire someone to come clean but I don't feel like paying someone our money when I am capable of doing it. So if anyone knows of any cleaning fairies please send them my way. PLEASE!!!!

Tonsils...

Well this past Friday Noah went under the knife (or Laser) to get his tonsils out. Needless to say the past few days have been a nightmare. Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night he was crying I was crying it was awful. I thought the pain killers would take all the pain away for a while but I guess not. Then it makes him sick if you don't have food in your stomach but how do you get a kid to eat when he won't even swallow his own saliva. The Dr. said you can't be his friend about drinking you must be firm and make him. Thank God for Kevin because he had to be the bad guy I just wanted to take him to the hospital and have him hooked up to fluids and morphine. Yesterday we had a set back because his body is reacting badly to the pain meds, so we are trying a new one to see if he can handle it better. Today he has had bad hours and good hours. He is fighting woth Grayson which is bad but a good sign that he is acting a little bit more normal. He ate oatmeal, mac-n-cheese and pancakes today. ( well little tiny bites of them) Our freezer and fridge is stocked with gatorade, yogurt, smoothies, applesauce, pudding, ice cream, popcicles, and dip-n-dots. Everything a little one needs. (and a mom who is emotional eating !!! LOL) The nurse said days 5,6,and7 are bad again and we will feel like we had a setback. Well those days are ahead so we will march on and perservere. Kevin did mention that we should have had Grayson's out at the same time so we could have had one weekend and week with both boys mute......LOL

Potty Training

Well this is week 2 of toilet training for Gray. We have had lots of successes and a few accidents along the way. I lost him at Kohls for about 5 min and why my heart had almost stopped because of fright he was hiding from me in a rack of clothes pooping in his new Diego underwear! Fun Fun!! Then as he pooped on the floor in his room one morning he came to tell me there was a scary yicky banana on the floor. ( Which was the terd : ) ) Fun Fun !!! His new word for his private is Wenis so that will be nice when someday he is in school and tells his teacher and friends he has a wenis. I am so enjoying our time together when the other kids are in school. We laugh a lot and are making some great memories!!! Heres to another day of potty training!!!

Walking into a New Chapter

Well these are it...These are the tennis shoes that will be taking my babies to middle school in 6 days. The tennis shoes that they had to have. The tennis shoes that I think are not so cute but felt like i needed to tell them I LOVE THEM if you do. The shoes that will be walking my daughters into a new chapter, a new beginning, a new story. Wow I can remember my first day of middle school. New Friends...Locker Combinations...P.E. lockers....dances...lots of new teachers...and a sense that I was growing up and having more freedom. I'm frightened for them. I remember kids being mean in middle school and now a days they seem to be worse. I hope that Kevin and I have raised our kids to show respect and be friends with everyone, not to gossip and not to spread rumors. To treat others as you would want to be treated. I hope they know I am here for them when they have had a bad day, or when they need someone to laugh with or need someone to hold them as they cry. I can't wait to celebrate their victories and help them learn from their failures. My little babies no more? Yes of course I can call them my babies forever!!! I love you Liv & Lex

The Longest Bike Ride Ever.....

So this morning I decided it would be fun to go on a long bike ride with the Fisher four... When I was training for the half marathon I ran to Antelope Park (27th & A st.) which was just under 6 miles from my house on the bike path. ( We live on 28th & Pine Lake Area right behind South Pointe Mall.) So I packed a picnic and told Kevin to give us an hour then meet us at the park for lunch. So we strapped on helmets, pumped up low tires and embarked on our journey.

I led the pack with Noah right behind bumping my back tire every once in awhile. He kept saying, "mom I think your back tire is flat." I would say each time, "Noah its pumped up all the way it just looks flat because its getting squished by my butt and 32 lbs of Grayson in his seat above the tire." Liv was behind Noah and Lexi brought up the end.

45 min later we made it to the park and had a great lunch with Daddy Fisher who thought I was a nut case for taking them on that long of a bike ride. The girls begged him to put their bikes in his trunk and give them a ride home but he refused. (I was secretly wishing he would do the same for me.) I had to be the strong one and say oh kids it won't be that bad just 6 miles home, only up hill a few times. So we took off and I looked behind as Kevin drove off and I couldn't help but be extremely jealous of him. Within 200 feet from the park I was hearing someone from the rear of our caravan saying, "My butt hurts so bad I can't ride any further, I'm gonna walk I can't go all the way home." I kept riding ignoring her because I felt the same way but I was not about to show weakness I Mommy Fisher had to be strong to lead these 4 home. 45 min later stopping to walk our bikes up 2 hills and telling Lexi that I would not come back to get her if she did chose to stay on a street corner we made it home. Home to the couch...to water....to no whining at least for a little while.

Daddy Stay Home?

This afternoon after I dropped the twins off at a birthday party I took the boys out for a fun filled date with Mom.

First stop...McDonalds!!! We ate there only because my "Mommy Brain" was not working and I asked them where they wanted to go for lunch instead of saying, "boys were going to Subway." Of course they are going to pick McDonalds. Thank God there were so many kids in the play area that my little guys didn't even want to try to go in and play. I often wonder if I'm the only parent who has an issue with the smell that comes out of the playroom at McDonalds. You know the smell thats a cross between urine, stinky feet, boogers and snot, and old soggy french fries.

Then we headed to play a round of minature golf. Well actually we played 2 for the price of 1 because the kid working felt sorry for me that I payed to play and the boys play so fast that I don't really get to play. So after 36 holes of golf ...Noah peeing in the tree at hole 10...3 balls fished out of the pond....Gray hitting me in the leg every time he swung his club...and tears when we had to leave we made it to the car only to hear this from Noah. Thanks for taking us golfing Mom but do you think you could start working and Daddy could stay home with us because we have more fun with him....

Cereal

I can't open our cupboard without dealing with cereal boxes. This is so frustrating because I don't know why we have to have so many different kinds. We love it, we often eat it for dinner when Kevin is traveling. (Kevin refuses to eat breakfast food at any other time of day other than morning.) However our obsession with it is getting out of control.

Noah & Gray have to have #1. Cinnamon Toast Crunch that is their favorite. Alexa has to have #2. Strawberry frosted Shredded Mini Wheats & #3. Golden Grahams. Liv prefers #4. Fruity Pebbles. Kevin needs#5. Kashi Oat Clusters. I need #6 Raisin Bran, #7Bran Flakes, and when I'm wanting something sweet for a snack #8.Cocoa Krispies. We always have a box of #9 Rice Krispies because you never know when you need to make Rice Krispy bars. So if you count that up that's 9 boxes of cereal taking over our Lazy Susan cupboard. Kevin cuts the tops of the boxes off so they wont get in the way...that helps a little. I told the kids this morning we all need to get on the same page and eat the same kind of cereal or they were all gonna have to keep their own boxes in their rooms.

July Moments!!!

Cousins all bundled up watching the Fireworks!!!
Our Night Out
Andy, Me & Trish
Lexi, Maddie & Liv
The 3 Sisters
Noah riding in Grandpa's boat
Mohawks!!!!!!

So since the last time I have blogged Gray did get over his illness. Not without going through an entire box of diapers and a whole tube of desitin over the 4th of July weekend. We had a blast though celebrating Trish's birthday and the 4th. Hanging out with our cousins....eating homemade ice cream, sitting in Grandma & Papas new hot tub, jumping on the trampoline and bundling up in sweatshirts and blankets to watch the fireworks. Only in Nebraska could that happen.... The twins also got to spend an entire week going to camp at Covenant Cedars. They had a blast meeting new friends, making Uncle Andy laugh and learning about God. Liv even left with a few scars (on her chin, chest, hands, and shoulder) that will forever remind her of her fun week. They didn't even act like they missed me. We also spent a couple days at the water park with Aunt Mandy, Drew, Micah James, & Taytum which will always be remembered. My mom Trish, Andy and I all went out to eat one night and talked and laughed a great cherished memory. I love laughing with Andy!

Today Grandma Karen came from Las Vegas. This is only the second time she has seen Gray and first time to see our new house. The kids made her a birthday cake since she celebrated her 65th birthday this past week. We are looking forward to having a great week with her. Speaking of birthdays my dear friend from high school turned 30 today! I miss you Liz! It is also Andy's 28th birthday tomorrow so we are looking forward to seeing him!

Well I'm signing off and going to bed wrestling a ? I think every Mom has to wrestle sometime in her life....To shave or not to shave???? My 11 yr olds think they need to shave their legs. They are starting the 6th grade and everyone does it mom....everyones Moms let them...we will be the only girls in 6th grade that dont shave...can you hear it now coming from their mouths. I dont remember when I started but my Mom said in the 6th grade. I guess I just dont want them to grow up. I want them to stay my little girls forever. I told them I would let them know by Monday. Don't take days forgranted...time goes so fast...hold on to your babies because they grow up way to fast.....

Another Holiday=Another Illness

It always happens....It is unavoidable....Someone always gets sick when a holiday is here. My sister arrives tonight at our house from Arkansas for the weekend, it is her birthday and we are celebrating the 4th of July. A huge fun filled... family filled... weekend and Gray wakes up sick today. We always have strep at Christmas, the flu at Easter, and Colds or Flu on Thanksgiving..All other holidays or family weekends Gray usually has his normal snot all over his face and everyone looks at him like he has the SWINE FLU.... My family has become hesitant to even make plans with us because we make everyone sick. So today Gray has massive diarrhea and a fever URGH!!!!! He has sores on his behind and wants to be held. Potty training is out the door and diapers must remain on except this morning when I thought it would be a good idea to air his butt out a bit and he pooped all over the bathroom rug. So I was out in my nightgown using the hose to spray off the rug. My neighbor looked at me like I was a crazy woman. So I pray that the Lord put his healing hands on my little Grayson and make him better. Really SOON!!!!

Spring???

Could it be spring? I love this weather. I just got done running at Holmes Lake with Grayson and it was wonderful. Im sad that my mood is so influenced by the weather. I need to pray for that whole contentment thing that my life seems to be lacking. I find myself always wanting circumstances to be different. Gray fell asleep sometime on the run and my ipod was dead so I talked with him the entire time and didn't even realize he wasn't awake... I probably looked silly talking to a kid who was snoring and drooling.

THE TWINS TURN 11 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my girl's 11th Birthday! We celebrated this weekend by going to Kansas City for a little girl's trip. Just them and I talking...laughing...shopping.....eating.....movies....swimming....and laughing some more! It was a great weekend. Grandma Becky, Grandpa Dan , Uncle Andy , Aunt Mandy and cousins are coming up tonight to celebrate with pizza and cake. I can't believe they are 11 already. Where does time go? It just seems like yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital and staring at them nervous to take them out of their carseats. Here are some fun facts about the twins.....

Alivia (aka Liv, Livy)

right handed

girly girl

favorite color is pink

room is pink and brown

cheerleader

volleyball

Loves Taylor Swift

carries a purse always

loves lip gloss

favorite show....icarly, extreme home makeover (cries every episode)

messy room often

teacher says shes awfuly chatty...(wonder where she gets that)

favorite food mashed potatoes, chicken strips

has lots of friends

ideal weekend would be hangin with friends shopping....

wants to be a hair stylist when she grows up (just like Aunt Emily)

wants to adopt every little baby in every orphanage

best friend Hailey

Motherly to her brothers

Protector of her sister

Mommy's Girl

Alexa (aka Lex, Lexi, Smexa)

left handed

favorite color blue

clean room

basketball

hip hop class

hates math

favorite show ....i carly...little people big world

ideal weekend in the country riding horses

NOT A GIRLY GIRL...

room is blue, turq, brown.

loves to wear basketball shorts and Tshirt

hates having her hair done

skateboarder

very laid back

dislikes cheese, butter, and pizza (gets this from Aunt Trish

favorite food....french toast, enchiladas, spaghetti

wants to be a vet of chef when she grows up

would like to meet the Jonas Brothers

will be helping Liv adopt all the babies in every orphanage

Daddy's Girl

Both of them so much alike yet so different....Two great blessings from the Lord. Whom we cherish and love so deeply......Praising God for them!!!!

Hide and Duck ?????

After we took kids to school this morning Grayson and I headed home for our snuggle time. He asked me if we could play Hide and Duck. Not knowing what he was talking about I said, " Gray do you want to play duck duck goose?" He replied, "No Mommy Hide and Duck and you hide first and I will count." So I went and hid and he counted. 1....3...9...11....2....3....4....5...9...11 here I come. He was so funny I was watching him from behind the rocking chair tip toe around saying, " Mommy where are you?" When he finally found me he it me over the head and said, "DUCK". So I think he has the two games mixed up but we had a blast. He continued to hide in the same spot every time which was hilarious and was confused that I was in a different spot each time. Now we are off to clean house and he wants to clean the potty....yes I hate doing that job. : ) I love the joy I felt when I was playing with him. Im feeling so blessed and Thankful to God who allows me to stay home with my baby.....

Nebraska Winters

It is a gorgeous day in Nebraska, I heard it may be in the mid 60's. That is awesome for January. I often get the blues in the winter. I'm definitely an outside person and being cooped up in the house because its 15 below is depressing to me. Kevin would like to move with his company and it would be some place warm but then I think I don't want to be away from my family. I want my kids to grow up around their cousins and grandparents. So today I'm praying for contentment. Contentment despite what the temperature is outside. Also thankfulness for what God has given to us and where he has us in this time in our lives, right here in the frigid mid west....where we have to bundle up to go outside and where we have to scrape frozen snot off of our kids faces....Enjoy this lovely spring like day!!!!

"Be Joyful Always... pray continually....give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:18

December 2008

December was a Great time at the Fisher House. It was the first Christmas in our new house and Grayson is at such a cute age and his excitement was Awesome. We started our holiday festivities with the kids Christmas pagent at church. Noah played Joseph and had to walk Mary and Baby Jesus down the isle. He was so cute and I cried like a baby..... The girls were in a play and sang. Alivia also had a part in the Christmas on 84th St. play, she had a lot of fun preparing for it and the 4 performances were great....I also cried at that.

Christmas Eve we had Angie and Brian over after church for time of fellowship and Kevin and I had a great evening putting out gifts from Santa. The girls dont believe in Santa anymore and Noah was glad we put the fire out in our fireplace before we went to bed so Santa didn't burn his butt.

We spent Christmas Day and the rest of the weekend spending time with all the Grandparents....Aunts.....Uncles.....and Cousins..... My sister Trish and her family were back from Arkansas and we had a great time staying up late eating...laughing...playing games.... We were sad to have them leave on New Years Day.

We also passed around the stomach flu and Strep throat so that was not so fun. Gray had it the worst and then passed it on to Grandma Becky, Grandpa Dan, and Aunt Em.....SORRY GUYS!

My Cousin Siera got engaged to Chris Madison on Christmas Eve so an April wedding is fast approaching and we are all really excited for them. My brother and sister -inlaw welcomed a son Elijah Daniel the week before Christmas on my Birthday.....We are so excited about this new gift to our family. And yes I did turn "30" and Noah is so glad I did not turn old and crusty. Kevin threw me a party at Old Chicago with my family and all my friends so that was a fun night . My brother Jason made it back from Iraq the afternoon before my party so that was a great Birthday Gift.

Most importantly we have been celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus. We are so so so greatful for the gift of eternal life....And it is with much Joy to see my children understand the real meaning of Christmas. Happy New Year to all of you!