More Snow and The Rest of Today

I cannot believe that we are getting another HUGE snowstorm.  This one is called Winter Storm Titan.  That is comforting.  I guess Eden and I will be heading to store today so we can be prepared to be stuck in the house this weekend......AGAIN.  I also have to pick up Nauvoo kids today as my mom will be working in Quincy today.
 I have to give a shout out to my super duper Mom!  She has been so awesome with helping out with the Nauvoo school situation this year.  Every morning she has her car all warmed up and waiting when we get to her house about 7:15ish.  I know it isn't easy for her to get around out in the cold and snow and yuckiness but, she does it anyway because she knows how important it is to us and our kids.  She then takes them into school every morning.  And picks them up almost every single day after school as well!  AND drives them home to us in Carthage!! Does she rock or what!??!  She never even batted an eye when we asked if we could use her address so the kids could go to school there.  I really couldn't ask for a better mom.  Even when she is driving me bonkers, she is still the best!  And Cullen is kind of obsessed with Grandma Trapp's house right now!  She had a huge box of Geo Trax given to her by someone at church and ever since Cullen begs to go to her house on a daily basis....even though we have literally every single Geo Trax that every existed.  lol!  He is funny!

The other day, Jeremy and I went to Target and started a baby registry.  I had gotten a coupon in the mail for a free $20 gift card when starting a registry so we decided to go ahead and do it.  Well as we were going around looking at baby stuff we both we getting excited about certain new gadgets that had come out since the last time we had a baby or a cute outfit and were having a good time just hanging out, getting excited about baby girl's arrival.  Then out of nowhere behind us, a family friend saw us and blurted out "Surely, you don't NEED anything.  This should all be old hat to you now."  Haha, we laughed along politely but, I am about sick and tired of these comments from people.  Like somehow this baby isn't as exciting or somehow she deserves nothing just because she is 7th in line.  I get that some people look at us like we are crazy for having a lot of kids.  Whatever.  To each his own.  But, every single baby I have, it is just as exciting to meet them and prepare for them.  I love them all equally and SO MUCH!  So, I told this woman that we were not planning on having any more kids so I had gotten rid of everything so actually, I DO NEED everything.  And why is it when you have 2 or 3 kids everyone is over the moon ecstatic when you announce your pregnant and go all out but, then when you say you are pregnant with anything over that they are all ho-hum about it!?!?  I was #12 when I was born.  In my baby book there are two full pages of people who threw my mom a shower, tons of gifts, people that stopped by to visit, etc.  Things seemed to have changed over the years in terms of how people view families.  Oh well.  That is the world we live in I suppose.  But, all of us here, Jeremy and I, and the kids are getting SUPER excited!!  Cullen comes to me every morning and every night and rubs my belly.  He tells baby girl that he loves her and will see her tomorrow!! lol!  He is so cute and loving! 

Oh!  The big boys are in a super routine!! Every day after school they come in the door, have a snack, and head straight for their chore chart!! YAY!  Cedric likes to try to wiggle his way out of things but he is getting better.  We added another incentive and turned it into a contest of sorts instead of just getting paid.  They still get paid per number of chores they do but, in addition to that whoever does the most chores each week gets to do something special that week.  The last two weeks, Liam and Asher won a night out to see the Lego movie with Dad!  They were so excited!! Now, they are always checking to see who is in the lead and who will win what!  This week it is a trip to Scottie's in Quincy.   

Advent-Frozen

Every day after school the kids rush to see what is in the advent calendar for the day.  One day we decided to surprise them by taking them all (minus Eden) to the Keokuk movie theater to see the new Disney movie, Frozen!! They were so excited!  Eden went to Grandma's house.  We all piled in the car and away we went!  Everyone got a drink, popcorn, and candy.  We let the big boys sit by themselves a few rows behind us and Jeremy, myself, Asher and Cullen all sat together.  It was such a good movie!! Best Disney movie we have seen in awhile!  All the kids loved it and Jeremy said we should go see it again by ourselves, haha!! It is super funny too!  

After the movie we drove through the City of Lights and listened to Christmas music.  

It was a really nice family evening together just like the holidays should be.  

Perfect. 

 

Sick and Tired

Yes, we all look sick and tired here because we were!!  haha!  But, snuggling is one of the best remedies there is.  I had also just finished reading Allegiant and cried my brains out.  The kids thought I was nuts.  Cedric is reading it now, so I think he will soon get why I was crying.  I am excited for Divergent to come out in theaters and hope they do the book series justice. 

Gotta Catch Up

I have so much to blog about.  I have not been in the mood for any of it lately (blogging) so I am hoping to pump enough caffeine in my body today that I can conquer the world (i.e. kids, house, chores, errands, fun, blog, etc.)!!! 
 Jeremy and I have started a new work out routine together.  It is awesome and I love that we do it together.  I am down 10 pounds since starting my fit kit and working out.  I want to lost another 15 as my next short term goal.  I have a few weddings, swim lessons, trips planned this summer that I want to fit into cute things for. 
We have been busy here at home and at the store.  Life is just buzzing right along.  I feel like the summer is flying right by.  I do dread the cold and gray of the winter months.
  I have volunteered to donate 10 dozen cookies to the Friends of the W.O.W. park for their fundraiser on the Fourth of July weekend.  They are raising funds to re-vamp and update the park.  I wanted to have a party for the Fourth but, don't know if we will or not.  It always seems so hard to get everyone together anymore.  Even for birthdays.  When Jeremy and I were talking last night we were just kind leaning towards not having a party and going to a water park or lake or something for the holiday. 
 Last night Jeremy and I went to go see World War Z.  It was awesome.  We haven't been to the movies in a long while.  It was nice to do it because we used to go ALL the time.  Now, I want to tackle the book although I hear that it is different than the movie storyline. 
I have started a summer reading program with the kids this summer.  I think taking them to see World War Z will be a reward soon! 

High Strung

Anyone remember this little known movie??? Denae?  Kevin? Nikki??  Bahahaha!!  I used to say the "I'd rather be dead!" all the time!!  Oh boy, that is how I feel today.  I nned to get this movie and kick back and LAUGH and LAUGH and LAUGh!  Good memories.  I wish I had my good friends around me again.  I sure do miss them.  It's just me and Jeremy now.  I think we rub most people the wrong way.  Probably because we don't actually like them either....bahahahahahahaha!!! long deep breath.  BAhahahahahahahahaha!!! ha. ha. ha. 

Eden Loves Tangled

Eden is curled up on the couch with her Cabbage Patch Baby and watching Tangled...again!  I love it.  She's such a girl!!  I was supposed to go shopping for her birthday party today but, I'm kinda all birthday partied out.  And I have a ton of stuff to do here at home.  I think I might just pick up some decorations here in town.  Pretty sure I can find some Tangled stuff somewhere.....I hope.


I have bought three brand new pairs of running shoes in about 6 months time.  I really never imagined finding a good running shoe would be that difficult.  I haven't been running for awhile now because the last pair was hurting my feet while running.  Today UPS is supposed to bring my new pair.  I spent quite a bit on them in relation to the other ones in the hopes that I will finally love a pair of running shoes. 

Grinch Sighting

 We actually saw this thing twice as we were driving home.  The first time we drove past it, I was driving and mad the comment that it looked like the Grinch's overloaded sleigh from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  So, when we passed it again, Jeremy had a me take a picture to show the kids.

 All it needed was a little dog strapped to the front of it with way too big antlers tied to the top of its head! haha!

 When we finally passed it we saw that it was potted shrubs all laid on their sides and covered with some sort of burlap-ish stuff.

My Birthday

 My 33rd birthday is over.  My birthday was on a Monday.  A freaking Monday.  Who the heck has a birthday on a Monday?!!?  So, it was simple and sweet.  Asher wanted to have a party which I assume meant that we needed some helium balloons.  But, I didn't go get any.  Jeremy and Asher brought me these beautiful flowers though!!  William (my nephew, Sam's kid) was staying with my Mom this past week for Spring Break.  He and the boys have had a great time together!  Anyway, Tristan, William, and Vicki made me a fudge swirl birthday cake!  yummy!  William is a great little sculptor and started Tristan and Cedric on a clay journey, lol! 

 Tristan did the owl with only one eye.  William did the other one.  

 They used both regular and fondant icing.

So, we had dinner at Jeremy's parents' house last Sunday to celebrate both Pat and I's birthdays.  We had corned beef and pork (thank you!), cabbage, mashed potatoes, apple salad, and green jello cake for dessert.  It was REALLY good.  On Monday I just did a whole lot of nothing (testing pillow firmness, watching dust collect, etc.).  I made brownies for breakfast because that's what I wanted.  Then I made up a cute little tune called "brownies for your birthday".  Jeremy surprised me by taking me to see John Carter that evening.  We were going to go out to dinner but decided we were too tired and drove thru Wendy's instead.  I had a super duper day even if it was a Monday. 

New Pads....AND Firefly

We got two new pads for the boys/us for Christmas.  They are like I-pads only not, they are some other brand.  I think those could replace every device that I have!  I love em!! And so do the kids.  They can watch movies, surf the net, school work, play games....just about anything!!  Tristan is going to use his with his schooling.  He is also planning on making an origami blog and he is really anxious to get it started.  He has big ideas and I am going to let him run with them!

On a completely different subject....why the heck did Fox EVER cancel Firefly.  Jeremy and I have been watching it on netflix and we saw the movie and all......but SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FREAK WERE THEY THINKING?!!?!?!?!?  And why didn't some other network pick it up after it was canceled??? One season is not enough!  And why can't they see the error of their ways after ten flipping years and rehire the same actors and do it again!?!?!?  Sorry, I just had to get that out.  We watched three episodes last night and it is fresh on my brain!

Can't Wait!

I can't wait!!!  Only a few more months!  Tristan is really excited too!  I'm so glad that he read the series with me!  I agree with most people that the third book was a little "off".  I liked the ending but, didn't quite "get" the rest of it.  Still the first two books make up for the third pretty much sucking.  Maybe on the big screen, the third book might make more sense than it did in written form.  It's almost as if she (Suzanne Collins) was trying to write a great big epic ending that kind fell flat.  Oh well, we will wait and see.

Cullen Loves Dr. Suess

These are Cullen's obsession right now.  I've come to the conclusion that he loves Dr. Suess.....he loves the books too!  Every day he asks for "Elephant", which is Horton Hears A Who.  An elephant has always been his favorite animal too.  I don't know why, but, he loves elephants.  And he thinks the Grinch is hilarious!   This kid has great taste in literature and movies don't ya think?  I do!