Early Birthday Presents for Marcus!

Ok so our wonderful friends from California sent us tickets as an early birthday present for Marcus to see Thomas Live in Lincoln. We are so grateful to them for doing this for us. It was a great morning of a very busy weekend. Steve took the day off work so we could all go. Marcus loved it.

I think Michaela had more fun getting him excited and going with. She is a good big sister and tries so hard to please him. She wanted him to experience everything. We had to laugh at him though, he could not decide what to look at first.

Every time a new character would come out, Marcus was naming them all. Only he really wanted to see Annie and Clarabelle, but they were not part of the show. For some reason besides Thomas they have become his favorites right now. He couldn't decide if he should watch the stage or the lights all around him. He was just in awe of everything

After the show we got him a spinning light and a new Thomas hat. He was so excited. Wish there were more picture ops.

Our little man was exhausted afterwards, he fell asleep on the way to take Michaela to meet some friends at the mall, oops, put the wrong picture in here, he was holding his light in one hand and trains in the other and sleeping. Way too cute.

Thank you again Trevor, Jennifer and Grant for the best Birthday Present ever.

Love to all

BRRRR!

I can not believe what a change in just a few hours. It was so nice when we came home from school, now the wind is blowing and it is cold. Yuck.

Michaela made it full days all week this week. I am very proud of her. She has been tired but not too terrible. Tonight she is with her new youth group, at the Dare 2 Share event in Lincoln. She called and is having a blast. She was very excited to go. I am excited for her, I just hope she doen't get too tired. I am guessing she will hit the wall on Sunday and sleep most of the day.

Not much else, just working and working some more.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Michaela got a perm this week I will try and get a picture of her to post on here soon. It looks very cute and she loves it.

Love to all,
Lisa

Visiting Santa 2008

OK, being the on the spot Mom that I am, this is the first time my kids have seen Santa this year. I was very surprised, Marcus went right up and sat on his lap, then went back when we asked him if he told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. He had to go back and make sure he told him he likes train stuff, Thomas Train Stuff. It was way too cute.

We went over to Sprague Church for their Kids' Christmas Program tonight and that is where Santa was after the program. Yes, Kayla is getting too old for Santa, but we told her, she needs to keep the spirit alive for her little brother, cause if she spoils it for him, there will be no presents for her. Like I could do that. Hopefully she will let him believe for a while anyway.

Polar Express has become his favorite movie, I made the mistake of letting him take it along last night on our trip to Lincoln, now he thinks he needs to take it every time we get in the van. Probably not the best thing or smartest thing I have done, lately and probably not the last.

We had our Christmas program this morning at Church, the kids did great, they always do. We worry about them not getting things correct, but in the end, who cares, no one they just like to see the little kids all dresses up and doing what they do best, being kids.

I am proud of my Sunday School kiddos, we have talked allot this year about giving back, and for a holiday project they made cards to send to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center. And also just helping out wherever and whenever needed. My Class especially has become very involved in the worship service and helping out with reading and offertory and helping the younger kids. I have to say I am also proud of my 5, for taking on the challenge of learning the books of the bible. Our goal is for them to be able by the end of the Sunday School year to stand up and proudly recite all the books of the bible. We have a great start and they are working hard, Please pray for them and me as we take on this challenge and grow together learning about Gods word and all the books written.

If I do not get another post in I want to wish you all a Merry CHRISTmas and a wonderful and safe New Year.

MY love to all!

Happy Mother's Day-Just a little late!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone, just a little late. I hope you all had a good one.

Well my mother's day did not turn out as good as I had hoped.

We started at 2:00 a.m. Friday morning, Steve got sick and had a high temp. Kayla went to bed feeling yucky. She and I got up Friday morning, I had her go to school and try to tough it out. We dropped Marcus off at the sitters, left Steve home in bed and went off to school. I got a call 45 mins. into school, Michaela had a temp and needed to go home, I called Steve and asked if he was ok to drive her to the doctor, he said yes. He took her, her rapid strep test came back positive in 5 mins.

I got home at 4:15 and asked how everyone was doing, she was doing better, Steve still had a temp. He took off his left sock and I knew instantly, he had an infection in that leg again. Of course he didn't heed my advice to go to the doctors office, during open clinic hours, so we ended up in the ER, with, excuse my language, a real jerk for a PA. Who basically did nothing. Anyway, he is on an antibiotic too. He saw our doctor today and is cleared to go back to work. We will see how he is when he comes home tonight. My bet is, his leg and foot will be very swollen.

So needless to say, I didn't do a lot for Mother's Day, I did get a little nap on Sunday afternoon, which I have to say, I really needed. My Mom bought Pizza and my sister, Darlene and her family came over to my house and we had Valentino's for supper. At least I didn't have to cook, at night anyway.

Right now I am asking for prayers for our family. Michaela to get totally over her strep, and Steve to heal quickly and not need further treatment. While you are at it, pray for me, my frustration level is through the roof right now and so my patience is also gone right now. I need it more than ever now, with the last 5 days of kids at school and just life in general.

I would like to say to my Mom, you are one in a million. I could not go through a day without you. You give me strength and encouragement daily. I thank God for you every day and I hope you had a good Mother's day weekend. Sorry for all the stress we caused you.

To my Mother-in-law, I thank God for you too. Your willingness to just be there at the drop of a hat. To take my frantic 7:15 calls in the morning, when the sitter calls in sick. I could not do it without you either. Thank you for all you do for us and for the love you give.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!

Just a thought for today!

A good friend just sent this to me. And boy did it hit home. It is amazing how many "God Moments" I have had lately. He does speak to us in ways we never expect.

Have a great day everyone! Enjoy this little piece of reading:

Just for Today
I'll live in the Moment This concept has been weighing heavily on my mind lately so I'll take that as a sign that somebody out there needs to read it.

I've been watching my 20 year old daughter lately struggle with wanting to be anywhere but where she is right now. She reminds me so much of myself sometimes! It's only been in the past few months that I've really gotten a handle on truly being in the moment I am in right now. I've gone through stages of doing this but have never been consistent about it. I believe my propensity for goal setting has gotten in the way of enjoying the right now. It's been a blessing and a curse. Where I know lots of people that seemed to focused on the past, I have always been focused on the future. Let me give you a few examples and see if maybe you can see yourself in these scenarios:

*My kids would try to talk to me about school and I would listen for a little bit and then start thinking about what I needed to fix for dinner or what chores needed to get done before the night was over.

*I might get a promotion in my job and would savor the excitement for about 10 minutes before beginning to concentrate on what I was going to do to get my next promotion and what my goal was to make that happen.

*I would go for a walk or a bike ride and the entire time think about all the things I was going to accomplish in my life instead of enjoying the beauty all around me, the breeze through my hair, the flowers, the trees, the gifts that surrounded me.

*I have always wanted to be anywhere but where I am right now. And I thought that was necessary to accomplishing my goals. Isn't there a saying that contentment breeds complacency? I believed that wholeheartedly. Now I believe that is a lie. We only get this moment for this moment. We will never have this moment again. Why would we want to spend it being mentally somewhere else? Enjoy each moment you have in that moment. Enjoy this person right now. Enjoy where you are right this minute. Here is the interesting thing about this. I find myself being so much more appreciative of every moment I have. I notice more. I enjoy people more. I enjoy listening to others' ideas and lives. And I'm much more peaceful. The irony is that since I have started living in the moment, I find my goals are much easier to achieve. I'm not working so hard to be somewhere I'm not meant to be yet. I'm not trying to force things that aren't meant to be. And consequently everything seems to just work out peacefully and naturally. It's a very strange experience for me but I'm enjoying it!Just for today, try enjoying each and every moment as it comes, not wishing for tomorrow or next week or next year.

Mari Peck

Just For Today

7 Random Things about me.

I got tagged by my cousin Tara, so I think I will tag, Robin, Darlene, Kristal, Nichole, Rachelle, Michelle and Jennifer.

#1. I am a perfectionist about certain things, especially if I am doing a project for someone else.

#2. I make my bed every morning, I was just trained growing up and it has stuck with me ever since.

#3. I am addicted to chocolate and Diet Coke, not that I need it by any means but I still like it and could have it everyday if I had it in the house. Curse that darn candy machine in the teachers lounge. :)

#4. When my laundry is done, it is always folded and put away, never left out or in the dryer until I can get to it. I dislike ironing so the faster I can get it out of the dryer the better.

#5 I am married to a wonderful man who would do anything for me or his children. He never wants to leave his kids with anyone, his feelings are we didn't have kids just so someone else could watch them.

#6 I love to sing in the car, especially to Marcus to keep him awake. I do a mean Wheels on the Bus and Itsy Bitsy Spider, as well as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I sometimes think I can sing better than I really can, that usually gets me in trouble. You know breaking glass, howling dogs, etc... :)

#7 I love my family & friends more than I can say, and sometimes I do not say it often enough. I tend to get lost in doing things for others and not for myself or my family. I am working on being a better wife to my husband and mother to my children, they need me too and I have to remember it is ok to say NO sometimes to outside things.

Ok, so there are my seven random things, kind of a random post but fun at the same time, Thanks Tara.

Love that wonderful weather

We have all been enjoying the wonderful spring weather. But none more than Marcus. He loves being outside. He screams bloody murder when we have to go in. He loves to chase bubbles, I bought a $8.99 bubble machine a Target 2 weeks ago. He loves it. He can turn it on and off and he runs around in circles and chases them all over the yard. I do have pictures of him, but I am not by my home computer to down load them on here.

The school year is slowly coming to a close. It is hard to believe that in about 6 weeks it will be summer break. I can hardly wait to just be at home and take walks and the kids to the park and hang out. Michaela will be playing softball again, so we will have that and she is doing a volleyball camp at school before the end of the year and a softball camp in June. Have to keep her busy.

Steve is keeping busy at ConAgra/Lincoln Snacks. They keep saying they are going 24/7 which means he will be working 12 hour shifts. Nice but, not at the same time. He will work, 3 days one week and 4 the next. I do not know what that is going to do for my daycare. I have been scared to ask, why I don't know. Marcus loves going there and I don't want to upset her, but at the same time if she would let us pay for only the time he is there, that would be much better. Save us a little money anyway.

Everyone get out an enjoy these next few days and chase a few bubbles and think of Marcus. Oh the life of a toddler, so carefree and fun.

Love to all,
Lisa

Happy Easter! A little late!

Ok with Easter coming so early, I just didn't have time to update this. But I wanted to put a few pictures from our weekend out there for you all to see. Marcus attended his first official Easter Egg Hunt at the Madden's Farm on Saturday. He liked walking in the field, but didn't like the tall grass and weeds he had to pick up eggs out of. Of course his favorite thing to pick up was the candy.

We cam home from the hunt to color eggs at Grandma Pat's house, Marcus liked it but thought they were balls and he should throw them. Typical boy! He wasn't too sure about getting his hands colored either.

On Sunday afternoon the kids had their hunt a Grandma Pat's, in the words of one of my Niece's or Nephew's-It looked like the Easter Bunny blew up in Grandma's back yard. There were plastic eggs everywhere. Thanks to my sister-in-law Michelle for stuffing and hiding. You are awesome!!!!!

We went to Steve's folks for awhile too. Marcus got close to his Cousin Garrett, actually he liked his phone. They were buddies as long as Marcus could have his phone. My Boy and Cell Phones, I don't know what I am going to do.

Jason and Carsyn loved taking turns with Marcus and his new bubble mower that the Easter bunny brought for him. That night Michaela and Marcus played some hoops in the basement. Steve and I got him that for Easter. The Bunny brought Michaela a High School Musical sing-a-long doll and we gave her a game for her DS and a High School Musical wipe off board.

So a busy and exciting weekend for us. We hope you all had a blessed and lovely Easter.

All our love,