Wordless Wednesday - Uncle T

Happy 8th Anniversary Babe

Jon and I have now been married for 8 years. I am still in shock about how time seems to be flying by and I cannot believe that it has been 8 years since I married my best friend and soul mate.

I am ashamed to admit that Jon and I have not written those letters that we owe to our Priest. It has been on my to do list for a year now and it has not been completed. So many times I meant to pull that wedding videos out and watch so I knew exactly what our assignment was supposed to be. It still has not happened but now that Jon and I are working really hard on our "to do" lists around the house and so much is getting done, I might just get that letter written to the priest.

Tomorrow night Jon and I get a date night out. We are not sure exactly what our plans are going to be but I think we are both just looking forward to spending some much needed time together.Tonight my mom made us a steak dinner and we even had cake. The kids loved it and then they sang "Happy Anniversary" (same tune as Happy Birthday) to both Jon and I. It was fun to celebrate with everyone.
I think it is safe to say that Jon and I have not had the easiest rode these past 8 years. Our traveled path has been one that was much different than what was anticipated 8 years ago. However, due to all of these challenges, it has made us so much closer. We don't always get along, we don't always agree or see eye to eye but we both know one thing is true...We love each other and as Lots of Scotts stated recently, "We are on the same team"! I know that someday a long time from now, both Jon and I will look back on these crazy times and wonder how we ever did it all. We will remember the ordinary every day moments that we often take for granted these days and we will smile at all the memories. I am confident that we will both agree that we would do it all over again and not change a thing.
Jon, God sure has blessed my life with a husband like you. You are such a dedicated, hard working, and loyal husband who puts your family before any of your own needs. Thank you babe for being my soul mate and very best friend. Thank you for all your love and support. Happy 8th Anniversary and here is to many more years chuck full of happy and fun memories together.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh MY

Last week Jon took the kids to the zoo one day. They had a blast. He packed a lunch and off the went. Look at the awesome shot that he got above. Love that picture. The bear was being very friendly with the kids walking right up to the glass to see them and doing somersaults in the near by "pond" for them too. They rode the train that is at the zoo as well. Jon even made the kids walk the entire zoo for "exercise". They all had so much to tell me when the got home from their zoo trip with daddy. They also saw them feeding the sharks in the aquarium too. It was really a fun day for all of them. I just wish I could have been there to join in on all the fun.

Wordless Wednesday - Good Friends

Photo Kind of a Day

Today we did the annual family photo shoot. We met our photographer Brian at a local park and it went great. The weather was nice and we had some great settings. I will not have the photos back for awhile but once I get them I will post a few for all of you to see. It was a lot of fun hanging out together as a family today. Such a nice fall day with the sunny shining and a nice cool breeze to keep us all comfortable in our sweaters and jeans.

Playing at the park after our photo session, I came to the realization that these kids are BIG. They are getting so grown up. I know that people tell me all the time "really enjoy it, they grow up so fast"! I never knew that it would go by this FAST! I sometimes worry that I may not be enjoying it enough. I find myself grasping onto these days and memories that we are all making together. I want to capture it as I know soon this will all be a distant memory. I guess that is just how life goes. Therefore, I want to live every day to it's fullest. I was reading a moms magazine and they had 40 Tips to a Happier and More Fulfilled Life. Here are a few of my favorite:

Always Pray and make time to exercise.

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

Try and make at least three people smile each day.

Life isn't fair but it is still good.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does.

Make peace with your past so it doesn't screw up your future.

Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Time heals almost everything. Give time, Time!

Envy is a waste of time, you already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.


Finally....

Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

**These pictures were taken last week at a play date, they are not from today's photo session.

Football Fools

This past week, a very generous contractor that I work with handed me 4 tickets to the local University football game. We already had plans for Saturday so I thought I would pass the tickets on to my brother or my dad. However, I soon found out that they were all going to be out of town. I then started to think about the football game and how much K would love it. Lately, he has been asking both Jon and me to turn on the TV so he can watch some sports. He is crazy about sports. He would watch anything boxing, golf, swimming, you name it he would love to watch it. So I decided after much thought (sorry S that we canceled on you and G) that I would take K to the football game. Jane said she would have a date with the girls and I recruited one of my very best friends scooter (nickname) and her nephew to come to the game with us.
We had a blast. We got there just in time to see the March Band take the field and then the players all run out. K asked a thousand questions about football and after the 1st quarter when I told him that we were going to get some lunch, he said "no, mom, I am watching the football game"! He did not want to leave his seat. It was great. I especially loved when the Cotton Candy vendor started up our isle and K raised his hand and screamed at the guy "I'll take some Cotton Candy"! I of course then bought him a bag of cotton candy and everyone around us was laughing. I also got him a baseball hat and I think he would have wore that hat to bed if I would have let him.
It was a fun date. I know Scooter really enjoyed it too. It is such a treat to get to spend one on one time with my kids. I know that they really enjoy it too. Big Thanks to Jane for taking the girls and spoiling them rotten today. Also, thanks to Scooter who went with us and helped create the fun memories.

1st Day of School

A, E, & K started school this week. It is just a one day a week program like they were in last year but they just love it and so do Jon and I. The kids get so much out of it and we are thrilled that they get to go back again this year.
Above is a picture that Jon took of them on their 1st day. I think K is starting to practice is expression for when he takes his pictures for his sports in the future. He almost looks like it is painful to smile! Soooo funny! I can't help but notice how much they have changed since the start of school last year. AMAZING how fast time goes by.
Here is to a great start to another amazing school year with A, E, and K. Oh and they get to bring show and tell every week this year so it will be interesting to see what their selections will be.

For Mothers of 4 Yr Olds

Wordless Wednesday - FUN

The Erickson Rodeo

Our horse Lucky and the kids were in the annual church parade this past weekend. I am happy to announce that we took 2nd place in the costume contest. We have been in this parade since the kids have been born. The First year we were three peas in a pod, the second year we were the three little pigs, the third year we were a monkey business, last year we were the funny farm and this year we were Rodeo.
This parade puts a lot of pressure on me every year to figure out what the kids are going to be. Every year the people watching the parade always admire the "triplets" and our theme. This year Jon helped me get the horse on wheels and he even dressed up with the kids. It was so refreshing to have him involved. K told him his job was to pick up the poop that lucky left behind. K also told the judges that they should "move over there is a new sheriff in town".
The kids had a blast walking in the parade and throwing all the candy out to the spectators. We had just enough candy until the end of the parade so that worked out great. I need to start thinking about our theme now for next year. If you have any great ideas please feel free to share.

Wordless Wednesday - Girly Camp

Camping Queen Returns

I made it back home after my glorious camping weekend with my brother and a bunch of our friends. I had a GREAT time as I do every year on this trip. This year was a little different for me though because I missed the kids and Jon a TON. I was very homesick for them this time. It was noticeable because I was asked more than once if I was "okay". It was my second weekend in a row away from all of them and that is just WAY to much. I told Jon that I do not plan to do that again.
It was beautiful weather this past weekend and we all had so much fun. I had some time to reflect on some things going on in my life and it is amazing how much clarity you can get when you slow down enough to pay attention. There are a few things that I have pondered about changing lately and I saw with much clarity that those changes need to happen around here. The kids had a great time when I was gone. They got to go to the fair again with Grandma and Grandpa and Jane, they also went out for dinner, and they got to spend some time with Sue and Denny. They were so busy I don't think they even had a chance to miss me. I was so happy to see them yesterday. I could not wait to get home and pick them up. I think they were happy to see me too.
Sue sent Jon and I an email last night of their adventures with her. Here is what she had to report:

We went to the park, I actually went with Mia and Luncinda and Lego. Lego of course is this very naughty child that takes a mother (Mia) and big sister (Lucinda) to control. At the park he ran away to the bakery, and Mia told me they have to go get him because he eats all the cakes. This happened several times.

Then we went on a big hike into the woods. K, E and A went with. The loved it. They liked the flowers and things they could find. They were thrilled to cross over a bridge that had water running underneath it.

A made lunch. She heated up the spaghetti noodles in a colander under the facet. She had enough spaghetti on each plate to feed 3 adults so we had to scale back a bit. At the hotel yesterday, I got several cartons of milk so she poured every one's milk into glasses. Now you all know she is Denny's pet, and he was bragging about her tonight at dinner how she poured the milk without spilling and everyone had an exact equal amount. He said she could be a Eucharistic minister and pour the wine just perfect. She then set the table and called everyone in. I put bibs on everyone since it was spaghetti. E was a little "naughty" at lunch, pretending she was a baby. I finally told A and K not to look at her because she was just doing it to make them laugh. K was very serious and told me he was trying very hard to not laugh, but his tummy couldn't help it.

After lunch we played water baseball and water Olympics for quite a while. Afterwards, when they were getting dressed, K told me " I don't want to be Lego for the rest of the day, please don't let them make me do it". (It must be a real effort to pretend you are a naughty two year old, which is how"Mia" always describes him to me).

Jon and I both laughed so hard when we read what K said about his tummy. Yesterday, Sue started a letter of the day with the kids. I thought I would continue that on this morning so I told the kids that the letter of the day was C. Ella replied to me, "but mommy, did you call Sue? How do you know what the letter of the day is?" I laughed at this. She already knows me as I usually would NOT think of letter of the day. So funny!

Camping

I am off to go camping. Wish the kids could come too but this trip is for adults only. I am looking forward to seeing the stars, sitting by the fire, and swimming in the lake! I will post more when I get back.

Children Experiencing Death

Yesterday, I was reminded about explaining death to children.
Through the local triplets group, one of my triplet mom friend
sent an email out asking for help as her father has just passed
away and she is not sure how to explain death to her children. 
I replied to her email and I was surprised at how much I had to
say. I have wanted to post about our experience this summer with
GG Del passing but I could never find the right words and the
wound in still to fresh. However, after I wrote this email, I
decided I wanted to post it to this blog so my kids can have
this someday.  I will warn you that this is long but something
that I have wanted to post about for awhile.

As you know, my Grandmother passed away this summer very quickly
from Liver/Bone Cancer. My kids were very close to her as was myself.
My husband and I were very concerned about how to handle this
situation with our children.  Jon did a lot of research on how to
handle death with young children and what we learned was that it
is important to be very honest with the kids.  When it was time to tell
the kids what happened to GG Del, I could not do the talking,
Jon did all the talking but I was present and there for hugs if needed.
A lot about death has to do with what your religious beliefs are but
for us we talked about going to heaven.  The kids seemed to grasp this
well and as someone pointed out to me later, Kids are closer to death
than adults because they accept that you can just "go right on up to
heaven" where as adults we question it more.  We told them that
GG Del wasin heaven now but that she would always live in our hearts.

Jon and I had a plan with how we were going to handle the kids with
the wake and the funeral.  However, as kids always do they switched
things up on us.  We were not even going to take them to the wake with
us but then my Dad has requested that they be there.  There was two
separate rooms at the funeral home so our intentions were to not allow
the kids to go into the room with the body.  Jon’s parents were there
for support as well as my entire family so we felt comfortable that there
would be enough people around to help us out.

However, they all wanted to view the body so after much thought we
took the kids down to the body.  I am amazed at how well it went
and how it did not seem to bother them at all.  E was a little spooked
but she just left the room.   Jon just explained that when someone dies,
there body stays here on earth but their souls go to heaven.  They were
okay with this and asked to get closer to the body.  It almost brought
more peace to my heart that day knowing that they were “okay” with
all of it.

The funeral was much harder.  The kids were so well behaved but they
certainly felt the sadness and cried right along with all of us. As
we were leaving the church after the funeral, K grabbed his heart and
said "Daddy, I can feel GG Del in my heart right now".

As I have said, death is a hard topic for kids but I do believe that
giving them the facts and your beliefs (go to heaven or another place)
and just being honest about the situation is so important.  I think
as parents we try so hard to protect our children from sadness and pain
but when you are dealing with death there is no way around it.  I know
that we should all celebrate that whoever has passed on has gone to a
better place but sometimes it is hard to get past the "never see
that person again".  I know that we are all still grieving around
our house as just this morning I was talking to a friend of mine who
went to a funeral yesterday and it surfaced all of those memories and
feelings like it had just happened yesterday.  I know that my kids
experiencing death at such a young age was a good life lesson but it
is hard.  I think the hardest thing I have dealt with yet with my kids.

One more thing I want to share with you, GG Del (Grandma) is still
talked about everyday in our house.  Please be prepared after the
funeral is over and you get back to your "everyday" life that Grandpa
will be talked about.  Sometimes when my kids bring her up it hurts or
reminds me of my grief but I do know that this is healthy for all of us.
Also, we read that death can temporally change children's personalities
and habits.  They might start to wet pants/bed, have mood swings, act up,
ect.. We did not see any of these changes with our kids but we were
warned it could happen.  K often asks me when I will go to heaven. He does
have some fear that I will go away like GG Del but I just tell him that
hopefully we all won’t go to heaven until we are older like GG Del. 
It is really important that I watch what I say too.  Just after a jog
a few days ago I was being sarcastic and I said “WOW, I am tired and
I feel like I am going to die” immediately K started to ask questions
about death and asked me if I would die when I was really OLD.  It was
a good lesson to be careful about what I say right now.

This is still very hard for me and I can only imagine how hard the
holidays will be for all of us this year as this is the times that
we usually spent with GG Del. I miss her as I am sure all of my family
does and will for a very long time.  I am so grateful that I was able to
have the relationship I had with her and I am also so very grateful that
my kids got to know her too.

Just wanted to share this.  It has been on my mind.  I guess you
never know when something you post will help someone else.  God Bless.

Wordless Wednesday - Farmers

Fair Going

Yesterday, the five of us headed to the Fair. The kids were so excited to go see all the animals, eat some yummy food and hang out. We spent about 6 hours at the fair and the time just FLEW by. It was very exciting. We pet a newborn pig, sheep, and cow. We also got to see a Lamb show (not very exciting but they were judging the best Lamb). We saw lots of roosters and chickens and the big pig but it was not all that big this year so not very impressive. We also met a horse named Sam. He was very handsome and the kids really enjoyed petting him. He sniffed KJ's hand and then he made some funny noises so KJ thought that was really funny.
We also met up with our friend the B Triplets and we hung out with them for awhile. Daddy J pulled them around in our wagon. After that we got the kids Icee's and they were kind enough to give us three small cups and charged us for one icee. Then it was Jon and I turn to get some food. We headed over to the food building where Jon got his cheese curds and I got my Deep Friend Pickles. YUMMMY!
After we ate it was then time to walk again. We headed down to the Little Farms Helping Hands. The kids really enjoyed this. First they planted seeds, then they got corn, then the drove mini tractors, fed the chickens, cows, and sheep, picked apples and the went to the market with all their food. In the end they get to pick one item from the grocery store. I tried to talk them into a can of green beans but they all picked a small box of cereal. Oh well.
After the little helping hands farm we met up with the S family and went to see a Dog show. The kids loved this. Lots of dogs would run through obstacle courses. We then headed over to a log show and watched that for awhile. After we walked around some more with the S family, we then decided it was time to go home. We did get the kids each a corn dog for supper and then some mini doughnuts for the ride home. We all ate well! It was a fun day at the fair.

Challenges

Once in awhile, a bad day comes your way. Today was one of those days for me. I got a call this morning from the Director at the Church that my children were to attend Preschool. He informed me that the Preschool would not be open this fall. I then asked him if he was kidding me? No this is for real. The Preschool that my THREE children were to attend has been closed. Yup...a week before school starts and they make that decision. He tried to comfort me by telling me that he could send me a list of Preschools in the area that still had openings. I then asked him if he realized that I had THREE children to find spots for? He was very apologetic and told me that he would not want to be in my shoes. Huh...Thanks I think?
Anyway, we are without preschool. Jon's response when I called him was "Good, we can teach them at home"! Then I called a handful of other people that are close to my children, along with some good friends that are teachers and they all said exactly what Jon said...you can teach them at home. Preschool is to socialize your children. Now, I need to pray to God to give me the gift of teaching. This does not come naturally for me and I am scared to death. However, no one ever said parenting would be easy and this is just something that I need to learn how to do. So now I am going to research what I need to teach my 3-4yr olds so I can make sure that they do not fall behind.
I was nervous today to tell the kids that they won't be going to school. I explained that they would not be going to the Preschool that we have talked about all summer. A said "Good I don't want to go to that school" and of course K said "Why did it close mommy?" and then continued with about twenty more why questions after that. Then I asked them if they wanted Mommy and Daddy to teach them at home. They all replied in a loud cheer "YEAH"! So they are not upset at all. Now I just need to get over my anger and move forward. I have a feeling that this is exactly how things are supposed to be. We will survive this road bump and who knows maybe I can learn to be a good teacher or at least a more patient person.
Also, when it rains it pours. When I was in the mist of figuring out all of this Preschool stuff today. My sweet baby K told me that his ear hurt and asked for an ice pack. I spent about 45 minutes laying on his bed with him and reading books. When he still was not feeling better I then decided it was time to call the doctor. We went in this afternoon and my little guy has a DOUBLE ear infection. Poor fella!! We now have our antibiotics and ear numbing drops and it seems as though he is feeling MUCH better.

Some days can be so challenging. However, after I heard the news about a triplet mom who lost all three of her babies. I hug my kids tight and know that even my challenging days could always be worse...way worse. God bless my family.

T-Ball Champs

Our 2008 T-ball season has come to an end. The kids really enjoyed learning how to throw, catch, field, and hit the ball. They also really enjoyed running the bases and playing with their friends. I am still in amazement that my sweet babies are now "KIDS" and they do things like T-Ball. Amazing how fast childhood goes, if not your own that of your child.I love the picture above. It really shows what 4 yr old t-ball is all about. You have one little boy going for the ball, you have one little girl playing in the sand. You have A who is not even paying attention to the game, and then E who is thrilled to be running the bases but has no fear of getting out because that just does not happen in 4 yr old T-ball. LOVE IT! KJ was a ball hog! He would run clear across the field to get a ball. He was really into playing T-ball.
A & E liked T-Ball too. They were just not as aggressive about it. That is probably just the difference between most boys and girls. The most important factor was that they all had fun. I would like to say that we were successful at that. They all got a medal and they were THRILLED! Oh what fun.

Wordless Wednesday-Winter in August

Lakehome Adventures 2008

We spent this past weekend at the Lake Home of the T family (Jon's sister and family). We all had a great time and the kids (and adults too) just love to be at the lake. We did some swimming, boating, Wii, camp fire, and we even took in a Rodeo (or a radio if you ask the kids). It was a great weekend and as always it is sad to see it end.
Below is a slide show of a few of the pictures Jon and I captured throughout the weekend. The rodeo was not only the kids but also my first time being at one. It was fun to watch and I am amazed at how brave those cowboys are!!!
I think we all enjoyed the Wii but the nice thing was that the "cousins" E & E helped to teach our kids how to play some of the games on the Wii. Jon and I tend to lose our patients when teaching them so that was nice.
The food was great and the quality time together was exceptional. Thanks T family for an awesome weekend!!