What a Feeling!!!!

Okay, Okay, I am back!! Again thank you, for checking on my blog.....sorry AGAIN, it's been slim pickins over here lately in blog world! Anyway, I just HAD to blog today, because.......I feel like shouting from the rooftop that our computer is FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!! There aren't enough exclamation marks in the world to capture my excitement. We have had the same, painfully annoying, problem with our computer since day one. It would shut down without any notice what-so-ever, multiple times a day, hour, even minutes!! You would be in the middle of typing, listening to music, whatever, sometimes you could just walk by the computer and it shut down, seriously, no lie!! Sorry if i am going on and on, but like Irene Cara in Flashdance, I am singin What a Fellin today!!!! As I type and listen to my music on my playlist right now, I still have that "fear" that it will shut down, ahhh, but all is well. You really do take simple things in life for granted.
Enough of that topic. Spring is in the air, like my friend Julie blogged about today too. I am soo ready for the warm weather to hang around. My new weeping cherry tree is starting to pop and all my perineals are coming in nicely. I always kick myself every spring for not planting tulip bulbs in the fall. Tulips are my all time favorite flower, but it seems like in the fall, I just don't feel like hasseling with them. There is a little birds nest in our evergreen bush too, That should be exciting, yet I kinda dread knowing it is there too, because now I will have to worry about a baby falling out of the nest, etc. This post is really starting to ramble, so I will end it. But how can I STOP typing, knowing the computer is good to go:) Happy Spring to you all!! What is exciting in your yard today?

***update*** OH NO!!! WHAT?? The computer SHUT DOWN 2 times last night...back to the drawing board. S*%%&$#!!

Spring Break in St.Louis

As soon as the weather began to turn warmer, I was SOOOOOO wishing we could be spending this years Spring break in Florida again. We LOVE to visit with Grandma and Grandpa R, and see the Orlado sites and visit the ocean!! BUT, the economy being what it is, just didn't lend us a trip this year. As it turns out, the weather here in St. Louis is BEAUTIFUL!!! I decided early on, that the kids and I would just enjoy a simple, at home spring break. And although a few fleeting moments of motherly guilt crept in (about not going to the zoo, grant's farm, etc). I have to say, we are having such a relaxing, stress-free week. The kids have been enjoying simple pleasures this week, like, staying up late and then SLEEPING in til 9am(heavenly choir singing), playing outside together, stopping at Mcdonalds for a shamrock shake, taking a walk around the neighborhood with Dewey and just taking in the spring sights and sounds.....oh yeah, and yesterday we went to the dentist!!! Nothing says spring break fun, like the dentist!!! Seriously though, both kids were way overdue (Brooke had never even been before!) It was one of those things I was putting off until work slowed down and money sped up:) We talked up the whole experience, and Brooke actually enjoyed it! She sat for all 4 xrays (they were only going to attempt 2, but she did so well that they took them all, what a good girl). Chase went first, so that Brooke could see what was next for her, which couldv'e been good or bad, luckily it was good. Chase was sooo brave and didn't even vulcan-sp grip the chair!! He, unfortunately inherited Mike's, not so strong, teeth and has to go back for some sealants to cover some weak teeth that are coming in. NO cavaties for either though!! They loved picking out stickers, new toothpaste, toothbrush, floss and a toothbrush holder! And of course, we HAD to celebrate with a Mcflurry from our fav place, afterwards!!
The BEST thing about this week for me has been little to no stress!! Which has been glorious!! It truly has been nice to just "BE" with my family. I also am lovin all the perinneals popping up and the buds on the trees!! What a beautiful time of year! Hope you all are enjoying your week, What have YOU been up to???

I know it's been awhile......

Hello all!! And let me begin by saying sorry. I KNOW it has been about a year since my last post.....Hey, I've been workin here! Anyway. Thanks to everyone who has been checking all the time to see if i have posted yet. I broke a thousand visitors this week, wahoo!!! I visited this one girls blog who, get this, has over 2 MILLION visitors. Man, would that be awesome!!!
I was thinking about what to blog today, because I actually have the morning off, so i knew I'd better blog something. It seems we have been sooo busy over here, yet there has been nothing Blog-worthy. The first thing that came to mind was church on last Sunday. First, I have a multiple choice question for you: What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about going to church?
1. I don't go to church
2. I HAVE to go to church, so I go.
3. I choose to go to church, but am bored while there and don't get much from it.
4. I love church, and can't wait to go each Sunday.

I have personally answered every "choice" throughout the 40years of my life. But, am soo glad to say, that #4 is my answer now!! We LOVE our church and GET to go every Sunday. One of my favorite parts is Worship, which is standing and singing before the Lord. The first 3 songs playing on my playlist are the songs we sang this past Sunday....and they are my favorite!! We have a worship team that consists of electric guitars, bass guitars, drums, piano, regular guitar and sometimes harmonica. Let me tell you, they can jam with the best of them. So many times you feel like you are at a concert! I love music and LOVE this part of our service! We are also blessed with an AWESOME pastor and the people all make you feel at home. You can check it out here www.westspringschurch.com

Accomplishments

This has certainly been a very busy, past few weeks for Brooke. She has made some of life's milestones and I am proud to share them with you! A few weeks ago she lost her second tooth and her new 2 front bottom teeth are coming in nicely. Shortly after loosing that second bottom one, she learned to whistle!!! This is something she has been trying for some time now, and I guess the extra space in her mouth made it possible!! Brooke also learned to blow bubbles with gum last week! Chase is now jealous, as he still can't grasp this maneuver!! Her latest accomplishment this past week is jumping rope!! You should see how she focuses with the rope held behind her head as she preps herself to swing the rope over her head. She can only do it one jump at a time, but she is off to a great start. My baby IS growing up too fast!!! I am so proud.
Chase has been taking guitar lessons for the past 2 months and is really doing great!! He can play the begining of lots of songs...smoke on the water, James Bond theme song, When september ends, Sunshine of your love, stairway to heaven. He is currently saving up for an electric guitar!! we'll see how that goes!!
Hopefully one day SOON, I will have an accomplishment myself......weight loss. As of now, not so much!!!!! Have a good day all!

Appropriately named

As you all know, our new, sweetie pie of a dog is named Dewey. This came after narrowing down all the options that Mike, the kids and I had. Dewey is after one of Brooke's favorite places to eat, Deweys pizza. We all thought it was the cutest name, and therefore the winner! Well, today, Mike and the kids were out and about, since I had to work nights at the hospital last night, and was sleeping. They decided to take Dewey shopping with them at a local pet store. While there, they discovered they were giving nail trims with buffing for $5.00. Mike decided to have this done, as Dewey has never had his nails trimmed before. (My parents recently bought us a Pedipaw, nail groomer, but it is a gradual process when you first use it, as you have to introduce it a few times without doing anything and offering a treat, then eventually do only 1 nail, then 1 paw, etc). ANYWAY..........He needed all his nails done now. Well, the ladies at the pet store thought Dewey was the cutest thing - can't argue with them:) - they also said he is a very RARE dog. WHY?? you ask??!! He has a DEW claw on his BACK paws. Which is very uncommon??? All dogs have them on their front paws, to help hold things, but NOT on there back. Those of you out there can check out your dogs back paws and let me know if this is, indeed, true or not! So long story, short.....Dewey turns out to be a great choice for his name, because of his unique dew claws on his back paws. Who'd a thunk it!!

Oh RATS!!

Yesterday, was our monthly Club HOPE mtg at Chase's school. HOPE stands for helping our pets and environment. I am co-leader, with my good friend Chris, and I have to say, we have been challenged. This is our first year having this club at the school, and we have 45 kids! For the most part, they are all super kids, that are really excited to learn about animals and how to be humane and care for them. There are those constant "few" who drive us crazy each mtg, but I think we are getting used to them. Anyway....yesterday, we had another guest speaker. Her name was Ginger (she looked a lot like the actress Joan Cusak!) Well, she brought her pets and little friends...............RATS!!!! [Kelli, I am sure you and Lee are wishing you could have been there]. They actually were quite cute. One of them is a hairless rat - never knew there was such a thing - and it did resemble one of those hairless chinese dogs. So ugly it was cute. I thought i would share a few pics from our meeting for your viewing pleasure. And for those of you with kids, check and see if your school offers such a club, and if not, why not start one yourself?! You will be helping to educate our little ones about all the animals in our world, and that they matter too!

encouragement

As we all know, this is one of the worst economic times, since the Depression era. We keep hearing how dismal things are, and will continue to be. Why is it then, that when I drive around and run errands, it looks like business as usual??? Is it just living in West county, USA, that makes it appear like all is the same?? Are others in the area being impacted like we are in our home?? Many of you know that Mike builds foundations for big homes.....so, as you can imagine, things have changed for our household. I know that some of you followers of this blog are in the same boat, and I just wanted to share some words of encouragement. Things here have gotten pretty dismal (to use a word of the times) at times, lately. But this I know, my continued faith in the Lord and His unending intercession, on our behalf, has kept us afloat. There have been some tears shed, anxiety felt, doubt, doubt and more doubt. But, with continued faith He has once again, given us all that we need and then some. I am working part time now at the hospital, Mike has been getting about half his normal hours, but we are excited about ANY hours he gets!! My classes for the next 2 months are FULL and we are continually blessed with the love and support of family and friends!! I am here to exclaim "God is GOOD". If you know Him already, don't forget to TRUST IN HIM, He loves and wants the best for those whom He calls his own!!! Are there more dismal days ahead, Oh, I'm quite sure there are, but with God on our side, whom or what shall we fear!!!!