A few new(ish) layouts...

... and then off to bed.


Trying on last year's winter clothes to see what still fits.


The Easter Egg


Self Explanatory :)


Jacob and his good buddy, Anna, from pre-school.

Bell Tree

My Mom (and Dad) bought this for me as an early Christmas gift.
I love it.
I wish the kids would keep their mitts off of it, though.
It can get a bit annoying with all the bells.
I still love it.



(This photo does not do it justice, at all.)

Target after-Christmas Finds

If you read below about my Philly Cheese Steaks, you may have caught the bit about raiding Target's 75% off Christmas stuff.

What I scored:

- gift wrap pack that contained 4 rolls of paper, numerous gift bags, bows, ribbons, tags, etc.
- something my receipt labels "light clip" (I have no idea what it is and the bag's in the back of the van and I'm not going out to get it, it's too cold. It really is - ask my sister)
- two really cute, tall Santa gift boxes, already tagged for Janie's teachers next year
- a medium sized pointy Christmas tree thing bedecked in blue and silver mirror things (Janie HAD to have it - she's paying me back)
- three bags of "premium" bows
- 4 stinky (I use the term literally) snowman place mats - luckily they are very cute
- a water globe music box
- a three tired gift tin, not really tiered, but three tins that stack into each other

My total: $20.41

I was thrilled.
*squeal*

ETA: The light clip was just that, rather they were just that, light clips. The things used to hold your Christmas lights onto your gutters all neat and pretty. I don't know why I couldn't come up with that earlier, it's not like it was OBVIOUS, or anything.

Third time's a charm. Ode to Onions

Early this afternoon I asked Mark what he wanted for dinner tonight. His first reply was Chicken Parmesan. Even though I love the dish, I wasn't too thrilled with the idea right then because, well, Mark had to run several errands with Jacob in tow and then after he got back I had to go to Le Target and Wally World with Janie. The sauce alone takes three hrs to make, it was already almost noon... we'd be eating at 8:30, if we were lucky.

His second request was chicken wings. Ummmm.... not too thrilled with that one either. I've never really made them (despite working at a wing joint for several months while in college) so I'd have to do research on how to make them, they require deep frying which I haven't done in years and try to avoid, and, well... honestly I'm not a big fan of chicken wings these days, and finally the whole haven't shopped yet, won't eat until 8:30 thing.

Anymore ideas, honey?

Philly Cheese Steak?

Philly Cheese Steak? Um... really? Um... ok, I can do that. I mean, I know what's in them, I know basically how to make them. I'll only need to research a little, can get what I need and whip them up right after Janie and I get home.

Mark runs errands with Jacob. I read about Pat's and Geno's and chopping meat. He gets back around 4:00.

I leave with Janie shortly after, go to Chik-fil-A for a "snack" (I had a gift card - had to go, it's the law), went to Le Target and raided their 75% off Christmas stuff (more on that in another post) and finally made it to Wal-Mart at 6:45. Checked out their 50% off Christmas stuff, gathered all my groceries (forgot lotion and hair brush) and got home around 8:15.

I'm dangerously close to the "eating at 8:30" time, ok - ain't going to happen. Even Philly Cheese Steaks take more than 15 minutes to prepare, add in an extremely grumpy Jacob (who had just awaken from a nap and was starving) and a question asking, Webkinz playing Janie and well... we ate a little after 9:00.

The Verdict(s)
Jacob smothered his sandwich in ketchup and ate half of it.
Janie dabbed a bit of her sandwich in ketchup and was not interested - at all.
Mark thought they were really good, though they could have used a bit more salt.

I thought they were pretty good, with one thing standing out... now let me take a step back and explain that this whole post, the entire thing... you know what spawned it? Yep, the thing that stood out... the onions! The onions were fabulous. OMGoodness... yum does no justice. I could have had only sauteed onions on the roll and would have been completely happy.

So, as it turns out, this entry is just a really, really long way of saying I *heart* onions.

Maybe I should change the title.

Long time, no see.

Lots to tell, but first let me go put Janie's sheets in the dryer. Yes, it's 9:56, the girl should be in bed. But, you see, I do this. I seem unable to wash sheets at a time that would allow the sheets to be applied to a bed before someone actually needs them. BRB

Ok, 10:03 and the sheets are in the dryer. Janie is on the couch finishing up The Magician's Nephew... well, now it's 10:12 because I Googled Magician's Nephew to verify spelling and got sucked into Wikipedia's write-up of the novel. Oy.

We just wrapped up another round of visits from my family. Mom and Dad came out from CA, my brother and sister came out from AL. We had a great time. We were a bit crowded at times, but it was well worth it. Mom and Dad were here for eight days, Jason for nine and Julie for only four - she couldn't take extra time off from work, so got in on Friday night, flew out Christmas night.

We did lots of running around, eating, picture taking, gift wrapping, etc. The house is a disaster. Well, I managed to straighten up the kids' rooms so they could get back in their beds tonight. They have been sleeping in my room with me, Mark was on the couch in the family room, Mom and Dad were in Janie's room, Julie was in Jacob's room and Jason was on an air mattress in the living room.

10:24 Mom just called, she and Daddy are on the ground - had a good flight. :)

A pictorial walk through the past few days...

Jason happy in the kitchen...


... making lasagna. The Pioneer Woman's lasagna, no less.


Janie and Nanny...


... and Granddaddy and Jacob beading.


My Dad being silly (he's good at that) and the kids decorating cookies with Aunt Julie. Thank you, Julie! It was no small undertaking.


Yum.


I like cookies.


Some might say that Christmas blew up on this cookie.


The kids opening their "one gift" on Christmas Eve.


Okay, they really get to open two gifts.


One is their choice from under the tree, the other - jammies provided by Mom and Dad. This year we also provided robes.


Santa's milk and cookies... I think O.C. missed the memo. (naughty cat)


The tree Christmas morning.


Janie and Jacob coming down to see the tree.


I'm going to fill in some more details, and hopefully add some more photos, but it's time to hit the hay. Janie's bed is made and she's moved upstairs to read a bit more. I'm going to follow her up.

Daddy Daughter

Janie and Mark attended their first Daddy/Daughter Dance at her school this Saturday night. I *hated* not being there, but you know... I'm not the daddy, it's time for me to let go a bit. It's not like she was going on a "date" date, although Mark was outside and knocked on the door, I answered, he said "Hi, I'm here to pick up your daughter." *grin*

We were a birthday party that afternoon, so they left from our friend's house. I helped her get dressed (even let her wear a little of my lip gloss) and took pictures.







I love how she's dragging her sweater in the last photograph.

Jacob is doing better!

Yay! The Pulmicort and antibiotics kicked in pretty quickly. His cough still sounds horrible, but he's not coughing nearly as often and when he starts he doesn't spasm and throw up, it's two or three coughs and he's done. He's also sleeping better, which is good for everyone.

Dude...

In about two weeks, I will squeal with delight when this arrives:

Item Number Quantity Item Description
223-0380 1 Inspiron 531,Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.60GHz, 512Kx2)
311-7203 1 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
320-5747 1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT- DDR3
341-4738 1 500GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive(7200RPM)
420-6540 1 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
313-5176 1 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
A1286940 1 2220WM 22" WIDESCREEN LCD MONITOR

I'm a wee bit excited... Mark found an awesome deal via www.bfads.com and we placed the order last night. The deal includes a $100 Dell gift card, with that we will purchase more SDRAM. I cannot wait to replace this monster of a monitor with the pretty 22" widescreen LCD monitor. Oh, and then there's the whole being able to run Photoshop and Picasa (and prob 12 other apps)at the same time thing!!!! Wooohoooo! The processor on the new machine is about 6 times faster than our current one. Our current hard drive is 40 GB. Merry Christmas to us!

We're getting somewhere.

Janie did go to see Dr. B (who, is from Alabama by the way - despite being an Auburn fan, she's a cool chick) on 11/9. She had a sinus infection. After a few days of Azithromycin, she's doing much better. Yay.

Poor Jacob, though... Ug. Had to take him in again today. He's developed bronchitis and as of today is on Azithromycin and Pulmicort along with the Xopenex. He sounds horrible, like he has emphysema. I'm hopeful that by Saturday he'll be doing much better. If he's not much better by Monday, we'll try another antibiotic, or perhaps do a chest x-ray to see if he's developed pneumonia. Depends on if he develops any other symptoms. Right now it's just the coughing, so that's good.

A good thing

that happened during all the below yuck... my parents came out for a visit 10/24 - 11/6. It was a great having them here and they had a really good visit, nice enough that they considered buying a house while here! But, they came to their financial senses... to be continued. :)

11/15/07 - One day, I'm going to come back to this and add details and photos. Really.

1/16/08 - Really. I am.

It continues...

Friday, November 9th and the crud and other yuckies still hold strong. Janie missed school again Wednesday 11/7 after throwing up from about 12:30am - 4:30 that morning. She went to school yesterday, but her cough got a lot worse yesterday afternoon and now she also has, um... the other gastrointestinal issue. She's staying home again today. Jacob's cough also got worse yesterday. I need a time line to keep up wit it all:

Saturday, 10/20 - Janie first got sick, fever, stuffy nose
Monday, 10/22 - Jacob and I got sick, cold symptoms, Janie missed school
Tuesday, 10/23 - Janie and Jacob both missed school
Wednesday, 10/24 - Janie back to school, still coughing a bit, but otherwise ok
Thursday, 10/25 - Jacob back to school (he attends only on Tues and Thurs), coughing a bit, but otherwise ok; Mark sick
Monday 10/29 - Jacob to doctor, bad cough, wheezing, prescribed Xopenex every 4hrs via nebulizer
Wednesday, 10/31 - I go to doctor, bad cough, not sleeping, prescribed inhaler, momma-said-knock-you-out cough medicine for night time and taking Mucinex.
Friday, 11/2 - stop Jacob's breathing treatments

Over the next few days everyone seems to get a bit better, still coughing a bit, but doing better.

Wednesday, 11/7 - Janie home after being sick all morning
Thursday, 11/8 - both kids at school seemingly doing well, both have flu shots at 4:10 flu clinic appt, both coughs worsen PM (mine also); bad night for Jacob coughing - had to resume breathing treatments
Friday 11/9 - Janie has "other gastrointestinal issue" and near constant coughing, Jacob's coughing still very bad - gave them both Xepenox via nebulizer at around 6:30am. Janie not going to school. Waiting for 8:30 to get here so I can call pediatrician.

I hate this, my poor babies.

8:50 Update
Talked to Dr. B's nurse and gave her all the info. She'll talk with Dr. B and call me back. Meanwhile, I'll be setting up an appt for Janie this afternoon. We may or may not have to keep it, depending on what Dr. B says. My main concern is the cough. She had walking pneumonia a little over three years ago and I'm wondering if we're headed down that road again.

The Janer

is sick again. She missed school yesterday and today. Jacob also stayed home today, they are both coughing a lot, Janie more so than Jacob. Janie has also had a fever on and off since Saturday night, never higher than 100.3 and I haven't been treating it with anything - just letting the bug run it's course. I hate this. She really needs to go to school tomorrow, but if she's still hacking like she has been, I don't think I should send her. Ug.

Ashles, Ashles...

Over the past couple of weeks I've been keeping an email going to myself with current Jacobisms. I love these "words" and do not correct him. These are the last vestiges of his babyhood. *cry*

ashles... ring 'round the rosie, pocket full of posies, ashles, ashles, we all fall down!
gatarade... Daddy, can I have some gatarade to drink, please?
teetora... Mommy, can have another teetora with my dinner?
up slide down... Mommy! I'm flying up slide down!
magnick... Is that a magnick on the refrigerator?
jrump... I hope Hoagie (out neighbor's dog) has big jrumps now.
lemonape... Janie, can I have some of your lemonape?
Cactapus... How many legs does a cactapus have, Mommy?
flamily... Is bankie in the flamily room?

A couple new layouts...

Gooaaaaallllllll!

Janie and Jacob both scored in their soccer games today! Way to go kiddos! :) I got video of Jacob's, but was changing cameras during Janie's goal... sorry baby! Of course, we went out for custard after their games. As they get older it may not be such a huge deal, but at 3 and 6... it's a pretty big dealio.

A few pics from today...

Jacob and the gaggle of other three yr olds associated with Janie's team. As you can tell, three of the siblings play on the same U4 team (The Grizzles, Jacob's team) and one other plays on another U4 team. The three not in uniform were not quite old enough to sign up this year. This photo was taken during Janie's game. Jacob's team had played earlier in the morning.


And because I HATE how I'm restricted to 400px width images on blogger, I'm posting the above image split in two and enlargened (is that a word?).




Janie resting after her game today. Go, Janie!

The Crud...

...is getting to me, I think. Sore throat, ucky nose, sinus issues, blah, blah, blah.

Mark took the kids to church. I'm supposed to be resting, but I need to clean and do laundry and both go much more quickly when no one else is home. Which is a twisted thing, because I'd much rather just rest, or digiscrap, or edit some photos, or watch the idiot box. Oh well... off to put a load in and fold the one from yesterday.

A few more layouts...

I know you can't read this, but it's a timeline/overview of our vacation this summer. I am going to do specific layouts on things we did, but this one came together first.


Pretty self explanatory. :)


See! Here's one from the trip... more to come.


A peek at the snow we had right before Christmas this past year.


Some pics of me and Janie from the 22nd, when we went to Oktoberfest downtown...

Visitors!

Mark's dad Ron and step-mom, Maureen, arrived a week ago this past Thursday, 9/13. The kids were already in bed, so they waited until Friday morning to come over from their hotel. We visited at the house a bit, Jacob really enjoyed having them all to himself for a while. We all played the matching game that Grandpa and Grandma Mo brought for him. Jacob LOVES that game!

Ron, Maureen, Mark, Jacob and I had some lunch at Chik-fil-A and did a Wal-Mart run a bit later in the day, then went to pick Janie up from school at 3:15. She was so excited to see Grandpa and Grandma Mo!


That afternoon, Ron, Mark and Janie played putt-putt.


Jason (my brother) stopped for a short visit that night. He was heading west for a river float.


The next day, 9/14, started with soccer for both Janie and Jacob.




Mark and I attended a wedding that afternoon/night, so Janie and Jacob got to hang out with Grandpa and Grandma Mo for the rest of the day.

Sunday, 9/15, we all went to church and then headed over to Ron and Maureen's hotel for a dip in the pool.


Janie had choir at 4:00, so we dropped her off at our church and then went home. Ron and Maureen joined us at the house a bit later for dinner.

Ron and Maureen spent the weekdays (9/17 - 9/21) venturing off on little days trips.

On Friday night, 9/21, we all went to Janie's school's family picnic. Families associated with restaurants provided food (wings and spaghetti w/meatballs), and a bank provided pizza and bottled water. Every family brought a dessert. I really enjoyed getting to meet some more parents from Janie's class and just enjoying a beautiful, cool night with our family.


Saturday the 22nd brought more soccer...




... and a trip downtown to attend Oktober Fest, where I took 17 gagillion photos.


















It was great having ya'll visit!