Motherhood is NOT for Whimps!

This past weekend, I saw this on a Mother's Day Card and I thought it was so appropriate.  Being a mother is simply the hardest things I have ever done.  This past weekend we had a Major close call to a situation that could have ended very badly or could have been the end to one of my children.  It is the first and only time that I have witnessed someone being so close to getting run over by a car.  By the grace of God a guardian angel was looking over my sweet sweet child!  It was so close that the car touched my child's body as it went by.  I have played this situation over and over and over again in my mind and what we could have done different.  I have done the "what ifs" over and over and over to the point that it was making me physically sick.  I have not slept well for two nights because I have been so spooked.  I have given Thanks to GOD over and over and over again!  The conclusion is that truly it was an near accident, it opened my eyes to how quickly something tragic can happen.  It's a good reminder to continue to remind my children about safety again and again.  God spared my child this past weekend.  I simply believe that we witnessed a miracle.  My child seems to be fine from this incident but was a little quiet the day it happened.  Jon and I both have discussed what happened and what could have happened and explained the importance of listening and being aware, especially in parking lots! I have  hugged my child  over and over and over again and will continue to Thank God everyday for the wonderful blessings in my life including our guardian angels who clearly looked out for us this weekend.  It was truly a miracle.  God Bless! 

Kids and their Playdates

The Girls

Today the kids had a early release from school.  So Jon and I decided that we would let them invite some friends over after school.  Well the list grew and grew and we ended up with 9 kids total including A, E, and K.  Jon picked half of them up at school and then the other half took the bus home.  It was just easier than to over crowd the bus with to many kids.

E & T

E, A, and L

They had a great time playing soccer, kick ball, and baseball for the boys.  The girls enjoyed playing school, Barbies, and Dolls. 

I have to give Jon kuddos for taking all of this on by himself.  I was at work this afternoon and by the time I got home, three of the kids had already left. 

The Boys

This morning in anticipation for the big play date, K wrote the following note to Jon:

It says:
Dear Dad,
I hope you don't get to stressed out this afternoon and I love you so much.  I can't wait!  Love K

Jon was so impressed with this note.  He also came down stairs this morning and the kids had made him a breakfast of cereal, pop tarts, an apple and milk. 

It was a fun afternoon for the kids.  So glad they had a chance to have some friends over to play. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Girls and their Cats

Wordless Wednesday - Wedding Photo Booth Fun

Girl Scouts and the Police Department

This past Sunday, the girls and I went to the Police Station to have a tour with their Girl Scout Troop.  The three of us really enjoyed the tour and it was cool to see the "ins" and "outs" of the Police station and how it is "run". 

Some of the highlights of the tour include the Lock Up of troop in the jail cell.  However, a few of the girls including A decided not to take part in the lock up but to get "out" of the cell and do the locking up themselves. 

Another highlight was getting to get in and investigate a cop car.  They sat in the back, the front, pretended to drive and even got to see the lights and hear the sirens.

The adults on the tour had lots of questions for the Community Service Officer Jake that was our tour guide.  Jake did an awesome job and we thanked him with two boxes of Girl Scout cookies.  Jake was very appreciative.  It was an awesome afternoon and we all learned so much. 

Freeze with your Hands Up!

Cloudy Days

The past few weeks have been a bit cloudy in my world.  Yesterday, we had a funeral for Jon's Uncle Bill.  It was a beautiful ceremony and such an awesome tribute to Bill.  We enjoyed retelling stories about Bill and learning of new stories of Bill.  He was a neat guy and one that will be missed by all of us but especially his family and wife Pat. 
Last week, a very close friend of mine, Carol, passed away.  Carol was my second mother growing up as she was my daycare lady.  My brother Tony and I spent many hours, days, and sometimes weeks living at Carol's house with her family.  It was a shock to learn of Carol's illness and then a few days later her passing.  I was able to attend the visitation for Carol and it was neat to see some of her family again and tell stories and learn new stories about growing up in "Carol's" family.  I will miss Carol very much, but her husband Roger of 52 years will miss her the most. 
Both Carol and Bill were 71 years old.  In my book that feels "young" to pass on.  Both of these incidents along with news of another terminally ill "friend" from my childhood have been clouding up my days.  It is such a great reminder of how precious life truly is.  I find comfort in thinking of both Carol and Bill having relief from their illness and finally being free from their pain.  Thinking about this may bring some sunshine into my world.  For now, I will hug Jon and my kiddos and try and remember that *EVERYDAY* is a gift and we should be grateful for all we have and find joy in the simple and small things in life. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Second Cousins Rock

Easter Fun 2012

It was a different kind of Easter this year for us.  Jon was out of town, Grandpa Al and Uncle T were gone but then returned later in the day.  Janie had gone back home to visit her family, and well as you know, Gracie is at training.  So it was Grandma Mary and myself with the three kiddos on Easter morning.

Our festivities started on Saturday afternoon with the big Easter Egg coloring.  We had a great time and this year we ended up with some tie dye eggs and some decorative eggs.  The kids sure enjoy coloring the eggs.

The Easter Bunny did happen to make an appearance at Grandma Mary's house and the eggs were all hidden and the baskets full of goodies arrived.

After the big hunt, a little breakfast, and some hair combing, we headed to church.  We celebrated the fact that Jesus rose from the dead to save all of us and our sins.

It was a wonderful mass and my favorite part was when Father walked around to bless us with holy water and he dosed K right in the face and then smiled about it as he went on his way.  So cute.
We then headed out for some breakfast and soon it was time to pick up Grandpa and Uncle T at the airport.

We had a wonderful afternoon full of great food, lots of laughs and even a mean game of soccer.  The girls lost to the boys but we all had a good time.  Oh how these kids are growing and changing.  It was so nice to celebrate Easter today.  God Blessed Us!

Spring Break 2012

This past week the kids spent sometime in Fargo with their Grandparents.  They all had a good time.  Here is the update from Grandma Carol;

A little sample of life in Fargo over Spring Break.  Did a little egg coloring, a little shopping and a lot of Easter Egg hunting.   Weather has been wonderful, tomorrow we are looking at a day of visiting the parks - Lindenwood for sure and maybe some of the others.  Kids are good; good behavior, good to go to bed at night and also eating good.  

You might want to buy stock in General Mills.    K likes Cinnamon Burst Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios and Peanut Butter Cheerios; A likes Chocolate Cheerios, and E likes regular Cheerios with sugar.  

Just to add, they went to Space Aliens for Lunch on their last day and they all loved it.  It was one of the highlights of the trip. 

Huge Thank You to Grandma Carol and Grandpa Ronnie for having three house guests this week.  They all truly had a wonderful time and want to know when they can go back. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Blast from the Past Games