Peanut Butter and Jelly

The day we were going out of town for the Thanksgiving things were a mad house in the Bollwitt home. I was babysitting my friends children that morning and I was trying to clean and get things organized. After I dropped off Brycen at Preschool I was going shopping so I needed to get all the kids fed before we left. Andrea would not stay at the table and finish her lunch. She kept running away and playing. I would tell her to go back and sit down and she would run to the table. After about a half and hour of this, with only a minute or two before we had to leave, I lost my temper and sat her down at the table rather forcefully and in a stern voice told her not to get up or she was staying home, which produced tears almost immediately. I heard Brycen in the background saying, "You better be good, Santa's watching..." I quickly joined in on that note and told Andrea she better eat her lunch because Santa was watching her, then Brycen comes out of the mud room and says, "No, mommy, Santa is watching YOU!". Of coarse I had to laugh at that. I then bagged up the sandwich and tossed them all in the car. Life is too short to get mad over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich..

Halloween 2010

This year our Halloween started on the 30th. We got the kids all dressed up, Brycen was Iron Man, Andrea was a unicorn, and Makayla was a bunny. I had good intentions of dressing up this year, I bought the costume and everything. But after getting the kids all dressed it became too much. Boy, they were all so cute.
We went to our Church's Trunk-or-Treat, this year it was totally packed. We some how found a place to sit and eat and then the kids all paraded around in their costumes. We all then went outside to the parking lot to start Trunk-or-treating. Brycen kept going back around to all the trunks for seconds and thirds. He totally made out big time. He has a major sweet tooth just like his mama. It was fun seeing all the cars decorated and all the kids looking so cute. Next year Tom and I are dressing up...I'm thinking Sunny and Cher??? Who knows.
After church on the 31st we went up to St. Joe to spend time with my parents and my sister Christy and co. The kids all played really well together. My dad planned some fun games for the kids and they all went on candy scavenger hunt outside. They had to say "trick-or-treat" when they spied some candy. If you know my dad, this is right up his alley. We celebrated my sister's birthday as well, 34 years old. All and all it was a fun day will lots of chocolate...my kind of day.
We were so lucky to once again have fantastic weather for Halloween. Living out here you can never take it for granted. This fall has been so beautiful, from the color of the leaves to the great temperature, we have been so lucky.

Brycen's 4th Birthday

So every year we seem to have a big party for Brycen and this year with the new baby and house I asked my husband if he thought it would be ok if we just did a family party like we had for Andrea....ya right. His comment was "Having a couple of friends over for some cake and ice cream isn't such a big deal". Ya right! I wanted him to plan it. I went to Party City to get some cute invitations and saw they had all their Power Ranger party gear on clearance...so I got it all. From banners to games to tableware to invitation to goody bags all for about $30. Sounded like a great deal to me. Since Bryce had never seen a Power Ranger episode, I was worried he may not like it. My fear quickly went away when I pulled out the invitations from my bag and Brycen said, "Way cool"! He is really into Toy Story, like I'm sure the rest of kids his age are, but I'm sure that's why I got a deal.
We did have a great time. Several of his friends came over and I had all the mom's stay for lunch and girl talk. It really turned out to be a beautiful fall day and the kids had a blast. I planned all these fun games but all they wanted to do was play with Brycen's train set and video games in the basement. So I gave Tom basement duty and I served the mom's up stairs. Opening gifts was a riot. He had one friend that wouldn't hand over his gift to Brycen, it was his toy. The others were just begging Brycen to open their gift next. He got all kinds of great toys. He totally made out, I have no clue why we spent another $100 buying gifts for him.
I made him chocolate cupcakes with red icing and stacked them all on a cupcake tower. It was supper cute and the kids just made a mess with it all, but all in good fun. After we got each kid cleaned up there was just enough time to pass out the goody bags and send them out the door. Two hours of eleven 4-year-old's running around your house is can almost send you over the edge. We did have a great time and I think Brycen really enjoyed him self too.
That night we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa and went out to eat at T-Rex out at Legends. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work. I this may have been our first time taking all the kids to a sit down restaurant, and may be our last for a while. The did love it though.

First Day of School

Brycen started preschool this year at Stanley Presbyterian Church. I don't think he really knew what school was when we would talk to him about it, but he knew he was going to play with his friends Shawn and Jace. We got there early and we me his teacher and sat on the rug while we waited for the other kids. Once they started coming I slipped out. On my way out of the parking lot I realized that Andrea would be in preschool next year as well. This time with my children at home is going to slip by so fast...
I didn't cry like I though I would. It was a big day for both of us.

Bear Lake Vaca

Let me just start by saying I learned several things on this trip about myself, my family and my life. But, that was the boring part about the trip. I want to talk about all the fun we had. If anyone of you have never been blessed with the opportunity to go to Bear Lake, UT let me fill you in. Bear Lake looks like the Caribbean of the Rockies because of its intense turquoise-blue water. This is due to the reflection of the limestone deposits suspended in the lake...(I looked it up ok)
I learned that if I had to live in Utah, I probably could learn to love it there. I think that state fits me in so many ways. I love the summer weather and all the outdoor activities. Not to mention the fun family atmosphere that seems to follow you from town to town.
When we got to the house it was amazing three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a full unfinished basement where grandma and grandpa slept. It was up on a hill so you had a good view of the lake. It was Sunday when we all got there and we had to check out the beach and find the spot we would pick for the next day.
The first day at the beach there was a cloud cover. Not too hot or cold. The kids played all day and there were waves washing up on the beach the kids played in. By the time we got out on the boat the water was too choppy for skiing but we enjoyed watching everyone tube and wake board. Yes I did get up wake boarding. I felt like a fish out of water cause I didn't know what the heck I was doing but there were plenty of people to watch who did know. The kids all tubed. I went with Andrea one time. Brian was going slow so he wouldn't scare her and I was dragging really bad. I tried to readjust my grip and I fell backwards into the water. Andrea held on but the tube toppled forward and she fell off. It shook her a bit but she got back on later and did great. Brycen did awesome. My kids are so fearless it scares me. What ever Brycen does, Andrea will do...just like me when I was her age. I think it is a middle child thing.
As the week went on it got hotter and hotter. Tuesday we all got burned so we stayed away from the beach on Wednesday. We played tennis and Taylor schooled me and heather bad. I did win one game. I still have my awesome serve, but it didn't phase Taylor too much.
I skied pretty good considering that it isn't the smoothest lake. Maybe if you got up at 6am and went, but the earliest we ever got out was 9 am. I am such a weenie. I am going to start lifting weights so I can last more then 5 minutes. A good pare of gloves would help as well. When I loose the rest of my baby weight it may add a couple of minutes on my time. Brian was such a good sport taking us all out everyday. He has a great boat.
Every morning I went running. I ran into the same cow each day...I named her Tessie. She was always outside the fence right next to the road. Running is my therapy. Heather and Kass both went with me once.
A Martin vacation would not be complete without games. We kept the tradition alive with Settlers, Scrabble, Rook, and a few others.
Emily Brought her boyfriend Cliff...he was a hit. We all liked him and he did well putting up with us for a few days before he had to get back to work.
We spent time at the pool and also the playground on the beach. Seriously beautiful area. We had such a great time and look forward to going back next year. I also need to say that husband was so incredible on this trip. He was the biggest stud and watched the kids way more then his fair share so that I could go out on the boat and ski and just enjoy the water. He is not much of a lake guy and he knows I love it and don't get to do it very often. He wanted to let me enjoy my time and really stepped up and was a supper husband and dad. He did get to golf with my dad and brothers each day so that was fun for him.
We ended the trip going up to Pingree Idaho to go to my Aunt and Uncles homecoming at church. They got back from their mission in Africa. I got to spend some time with my dear cousins. Even though it was short, it was so nice to catch up.
This trip meant a lot to me cause my whole life every summer we went to Island Park, Id or Star Valley, WO and spent time together with family in a cabin. Some of the BEST memories of my life came from those places. I am so glad that we will be able to continue that tradition at Bear Lake for my family. I don't know what I did to be blessed with such a great family...probably nothing, just luck maybe. But I feel so blessed and so grateful to my Heavenly Father.

This is the famous swing at my Aunt's house. I have this same picture of me when I was a kid.

Me with my cousins.

Laura's Wedding

My sister-in-law Laura was getting married to Greg Alder on July 31st so we came up to Norfolk, Nebraska (this is where Tom grew up) to be with the family. We got in late Thursday night and spent the next day helping with preparations for the wedding. Betty was busy cooking all day, she was making all the food for the reception. She is a fantastic cook and did a great job--she cooked a family favorite, taste beef. I am not a normal fan of hamburger but this dish is simply delish. I helped by cutting up veggies and then Tom and I helped set up for the reception at the hall they rented out.
With it being the end of July, I was expecting a blistering hot day, but surprisingly it wasn't too bad, of coarse I wasn't wearing a Tux either. Brycen got a bug bite on his left ear the morning of the wedding and it swelled up to 2-3 times the size. Tom ran out to get Benadryl, which did help. It didn't stop him from looking totally adorable or "handsome" as he always says.
He was the ring bearer and did a fantastic job. He walked up the isle without a hitch. It was a small wedding and I quietly whispered his name to get a quick pic, I hardly realized what I was doing until it was done. I don't think anyone noticed. He stood by Greg the whole time. The ceremony was lovely by the lake. Laura and Greg were both stunning.
Andrea and Makayla did great as well. I loved them in their cute matching outfits. They are just the sweetest lil' girls.

I just wish you could tell kids to smile and they would sit pretty and SMILE. Too much to ask, I know.

Brycen and Andrea were dancing and I got a quick pick. They look so sweet and innocent--if you don't know them.

This is cousin Alek and Julie, Tom's youngest sister.

A view of the lake right before the wedding.

Brycen standing perfectly next to Greg during the wedding. Such a cutie!

Laura and Greg have been dating on and off for over 8 years. Laura has been waiting for this day for a long time. You look stunning Laura!

Pic of the Week

What this picture doesn't tell you is how excited they were to be wearing their princess dresses. Andrea twirled so many times she fell down.

The Saga Continues

Today I noticed that the carpet in Andrea's room was still not dry and it made me think that this water damage was probably a lot worse then we first anticipated. I called Tom to have him send out a water damage restoration crew. Turns out that the water went threw the walls all the way to the basement. They had to tare out some of the ceiling on the main floor to get out all the wet insulation and tear up the carpets upstairs to dry it all out. We went a head an made a claim with our insurance since their bill alone was $5000. Sounds like a rip off to me. We are still going to have to hire someone to replace and repaint the drywall so we figured we better put in a claim. I still can't believe it. I will never underestimate the power of a two-year-old again.

This is where it all started in the bathroom right off of Andrea's room.

This is the living room where the most damage was done. They taped it off because of the hot air they were blowing into the walls to try and dry it up. The temperature was 108 degrees in there. Luckily with the AC running nonstop we were able to keep the rest of the house at a cool 85 degrees.

Pic of the living room. You can see the tubes that they stuck into the wall.

This is a pic of the crown molding in the living room. The water settled in between the paint and the wood. The paint fell off.

Andrea's room. They pulled up the carpet and put a powerful under the carpet to dry it out. The kids loved it cause it made it look and feel like a moonwalk. The carpet lifted off the ground a good 6 inches or so.

What a disaster

So I got home from work this morning and my babysitter called to tell me she was sick and couldn't make it over. Tom was already gone, so I called another sitter and she didn't answer. Then I thought to myself, No high school girl is going to be up at 8 in the morning during the summer. I have taken naps with Brycen watching T.V. before, so I am sure I could just put a movie in and get two hours of sleep and then everything will be fine. What a mistake!
I had worked two nights back to back with not much sleep in between, and I think I was hallucinating at this time.
I took Makayla to bed with me and left my door open to hopefully hear anything that I might need to wake up for. I must have gone comatose for a bit cause I woke up hearing the kids playing in the bathroom upstairs. I walked in and there was water all over the floor. I wiped it up but did not know then the extent of what had happened. I took them back down stairs and went back up to my room. I wake up this time to Brycen telling me that Andrea was making a mess, then I hear shattering glass. I am on my feet in a second and go downstairs to find her sitting on top of my wood buffet . She had gotten into the cabinet and dropped a crystal bowl my granny gave me and it had shattered all over the floor. On top of the complete mess she had made with the things I had in the drawers, she had taken my arisol spray sunscreen and sprayed it all over a section on the wood buffet--and it's not coming off. I cleaned up what I could of the mess and then noticed the downstairs ceiling was all wet--I was about to die. I called my husband and told him he had to come home. The water from the upstairs bathroom had settled on the ceiling downstairs and caused some of the drywall to fall off. It had also made water pockets between the paint and the wood on our crown molding in the living room. What A Disaster! The worst part is, I can't get mad and anyone but myself. Tom is dealing with it ok. He is such a perfectionist and this kind of stuff kills him. But he understands that I really thought in my deranged mentality at the time that I had it under control. Another lesson learned.

Serenity

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to workout. To be more exact, I love to run--especially outside. I don't care if it's raining, snowing, freezing or hot as heck--I am outside. Since I have had kids, I've adjusted my game plan for my workouts. I usually always take my kids running with me. I have a Schwinn single and double jogger that I have used the crap out of. So naturally, after I had Makayla, I needed a new stroller, and I got one. The Baby Jogger Summit 360 in red and black--a triple jogger. A freaking expensive stroller that I felt I had to have. I begged and begged my husband for it.
After my c-section, I had to wait 6 weeks before I could even walk a fast clip --Dr.s orders, and I really didn't feel like it either. Then I had to juggle getting three kids out the door--that was more difficult then I thought it would be. So finally I said screw it, and got on the treadmill cause something had to happen. Now that I am regular with my exercise routine it's been easier to take out my stroller, but it's still way easier to get on the treadmill and go. I just don't like it nearly as much.
So Saturday night July, 17th, I felt a little stressed out because I had worked a lot that week. I have also been killing myself trying to lose this weight before I go on vacation in August, and my husband knows that. So as the wonderful person he is, he put the kids to bed for the 4th night in a row so that I could go running. It was an inspirational run in so many ways. I had forgotten almost what it was like to pound the pavement by myself without trying to entertain kids the whole time. I felt so rejuvenated. This is what I wrote when I got back that night:

I took a sunset run along a hilly country road. The scene was beautiful, a vibrant orange and yellow sunset, tall prairie grass blowing in the muggy breeze and fireflies twinkling in the horizon. The cows in the background were calling but their sounds were drowned out by the cicada screeching in the trees. The white "popcorn" flowers, as my kids call them, densely line each side of the road. A rushing stream near by added to the ambiance of the evening. In this quiet hour in the "country" I am able to reflect on my life. I ponder the wonderful blessings that I call mine and then I thank the Lord for them. I think to myself about how much I have been given and ask, how could I ask for more? This kind of evening might not be everyone's idea of serenity, but it was mine tonight.

I'm Back

So last year about this time I got into a total funk and decided that I hated my blog. It was never good enough and I felt like I couldn't keep it up as nice as everyone else did, so I quit. Since I've been on Facebook, I've realized that I missed it. So I'm doing it again with a new perspective. I have accepted the fact that I am a mother of three little kids, I work part time, and I have a very busy life so it WONT be perfect. I will just do my best and that will have to be good enough. I am not going to go back and blog about all the stuff I missed during this past year. I will just briefly catch up, post some pics from the last year and move on.

The biggest news I have to share about the past year is that we added a new addition on February 28th, Makayla Jean. She is such a great baby and I feel totally blessed that she is apart of our lives.
Once we knew I was expecting, we started looking for a bigger house. Luckily we found one close by in a neighborhood that we fell in love with. We moved in right before Thanksgiving and are really enjoying ourselves here. Our pool should hopefully be in by the beginning of next month and we can't wait.
Other news, I got a new job at KU Med Center. I love that as well. I still work at Saint Luke's, I just divide my time between both.

This is a picture of me last June on my birthday. I am posting it as proof that I did lose my baby weight from Andrea. I am actually 5 weeks pregnant here.

June 2009 Girls Camp Pics on the Big Muddy (Missouri River). This was my forth time going on this trip and it is always a blast. I don't know why they keep asking me to go, I know there are so many qualified people in our church that could easily take my place. I just love my time with the girls and it is such a spiritual experience for all that is involved. We start out at Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas and make our way over to St. Louis camping along the way. We have fun adventures at each camp site and each trip is unique. When we pull out at St. Charels and make our way to the St. Louis temple where we spend a few hours doing baptisms. This camp is so me, I love every bit of it. It totally made up for all the crappy camps I want when I was a kid.

4th of July 2009. We were at my parents house and it rained that night. So we watched the annual Country Club Fireworks show in our cars then went home and let the kids fire off fire crackers in the garage. It actually was a lot of fun.

August 2009 Family Vaca to San Clemente CA. I wasn't able to make the 2008 Beach Vaca because I had just had Andrea. So my parents rented another beach house and invited us to join them for the week. We stayed in a condo about a block from the beach. The weather was perfect. We got up early each morning and enjoyed a long walk on the beach. Tom and I took Brycen to Sea World and we lost him in the kids play area. It was the scariest 30 minutes of my life. Tom and Dad also took Brycen on a train ride up the coast, he was so excited. Brian and Kass came and joined us the last part of the week. So much fun, so many good memories.

Our new house. When we found out that I was pregnant with #3 we decided to start looking for a bigger home. We were so lucky to find one close by in a neighborhood that we love. Driving out to the house gives the impression like you are out in the sticks, but really it is only 3 miles away from Wal-Mart and the highway. We love the location. Our neighborhood pool is being built right now and should be done sometime next month. We put a contract on house first without any contingency at the end of September and then put our house on the market. Pretty risky I know. The kids and I moved in with my parents as we tried to sell our old house. We were very fortunate that we had a contract on it by the end of October. Everything was final by the end of November. The following week after that I started my new job at KU Med Center. At this time I was just starting the 7th month of my pregnancy. I was worked full-time in December then 50-60 hours a week in January. By the time I was 9 months I worked 2-3 shifts a week, much better then where I had been. A very stressful time for me. But I was really glad to have gotten that out of the way before Makayla came.

Halloween 2009. Andrea is a Lion and Brycen is a Purple Dinosaur. I felt very resourceful this year. Since we were moving and I was crazy busy and pregnant I dressed Andrea in Brycen's old costume and put Brycen in the same one he was in last year. I hope I'm not a bad mom.

Christmas 2009. At my mom's as usual. Brycen's big gift from Santa was a bike and Andrea's was a play kitchen. Tom and I got each other a new house, appliances, and everything else that comes with that!

Super Cute pick one morning before church. Got to love the tree the kids decorated in the background.

Makayla was Due February 24th. I had an emergent C-section with Andrea so I was hoping to have a v-back (vaginal birth after c-section) this time around. Every week I went to the doctor I anticipated good news--never did I get it. I was never dilated and never effaced. So the day I was due I crossed my fingers and went to my appointment. Again, not even dilated to a one. My choices were c-section in two days or wait another week and most likely a c-section then. So I got up at 4 am, Friday the 26th to and got to the hospital by 6am. I know an emergent c-section is never an ideal situation, but I would have taken that over a planned section. I was very fortunate to have one of my very good friends be my nurse and take me to the delivery room. She helped deliver my baby and was such a blessing through the whole process. This really opened my eyes to what my patients go through everyday on my unit. She was a healthy baby 7lbs 2 ozs and 20 1/2 inches. Such a great baby. These pics were taken right after she was born.

Makayla was blessed on May 1st 2010. My mother-in-law came down for the big occasion. Makayla was blessed in a vintage dress that my great-grandmother made for her children. I feel so lucky to have it. The other pic is of my sister Heather.

Happy Birthday Andrea (2010). The big #2.

Happy Mother's day (2010)! What a blessed mother I am to have three beautiful children. I didn't want to post any fat pictures of me, but my kids are too cute not to. It will be gone soon anyway.

Welcome Home Taylor. The last weekend of May 2010. Taylor came home from his two year mission that he served in Spain and the Canary Islands. We missed him so much!