Today Rick and I started are day at 6:00 a.m. went out to eat at perkins, stopped at my friend Mary's and picked up the rest of our garage sale stuff up - we ended up making $85.00 for our trip to duluth. We then went to walmart to pick up a few things I got my self a sound machine for when I go to bed, Rick is sick of me using the fan from the bathroom. Now I can listen to a heartbeat, birds, rain, white noise, rain forest, thunderstorm and 4 more... we then went to Menards- got the kids a little pool and that golfball pipe game that youf ling the golf balls on a color of pipe and earn points. we also checked out the Clearance. it was great we had it all done by 10:00 a.m. or so. came home and the kids had the house picked up for us to spend the rest of the day outdoors. we ended up moving the swing back by my garden, cleaned off the porch, mowed and weed whiped, I weeded my garden.. got a lot done today, and I can feel it. Only 17 more days and we are off to duluth... Kids are very excited... I am too. We all have to write down one thing that we MUST do while we are there... so far Erica is the only one that wrote down she wants to see water falls.

MY NEW HUTCH

Mom - here is my new hutch and color of paint... we have alot more to do... but we wanted to get the hutch in place... I don't know how to turn the picture.

A good weekend for catch up

It was a great weekend to catch up on house stuff. I even managed to do a little painting also, and I think Rick is going to do more tonight. I am really liking the colors I choose. The bathroom is a gold.. and my kitchen is called note book red. matches my living room curtains perfect. Sat. we got up and ran to a few garage sales, I found a beautiful corner type hutch for my kitchen that fits perfect in my odd shaped kitchen. I only paid $60.00 bucks for it... Today was bit out of the ordinary... Late last night I talked Rick into hooking up the boat and getting it ready to surprise the kids for our first day out on the boat this morning. I made sure we hooked it up last night, so Rick couldn't back out of it. Sometimes he is so gun hoe about what needs to be done around the house all our many projects that he just wants to work work work... never any play. so I am glad I talked him into it. the kids had a blast... of course they wanted to fish longer and wanted to tube longer. Rick also this weekend put up a split fence on the side of our house where the "cliff" is. that looks super nice. I got my laundry done, and all rooms in some what order... so it was a great catch up weekend.
This week for daycare is going to be pretty easy... that is if Vyctoria will not be so fussy :) I have Dante is starting tomorrow and those are the only two I will have this week. the other two families are on vacation... That's always nice especially when you still get paid. well, gonna go make some supper and hopefully do a day of my bible study.

We found the owner of the dog. I finally called Barrington Oaks to see if any dog was reported missing... none was but they took my name and number not a few hours later we got the call and the kids crumpled to pieces crying... It was kinda cool though... the dogs owner we know, Rick and I went to school with them, we see them often because they go to the same church and same school as our kids... They were very happy to see him back... My kids were very bummed, but it didn't last to long... they are over it now... besides we got a whole nother thing to focus on... Rick took the 3 outdoor cats in to get spayed so that we don't have to deal with the problem of over population of kittens... and 1 of the cats is pregnant AGAIN! at least it's the one that is the best mama and she had the cutest kittens too :) So once again, keep your ears peeled for anyone looking for baby kittens.. they can reserve theirs today! Today was a super nice day, we spent most of the day outside... Friday I am planning on taking the kids to a surprise picnic in the park.... I am so excited for this weekend too! there is NOTHING on the calendar! that doesn't happen often! Maybe I will get to some painting?

MONDAY'S YUCK

Today started the day off at 6:00 a.m. worked for only 1/2 day because my little two are sick. After the daycare kids got picked up, I took the two girls to Urgent care. Keeping an eye on Mike with a icky cough she has, worried about pneumonia... once they get it, I guess it's easily returned. Both girls running fevers. Brooke has a start of a ear infection and her throat look like strep... so they are going to culture the swab and see what happened... since Boo's ear was starting to look suspicious they just went ahead and put her on a antibiotic, that should also take care of strep.
On our way home from the dr. a cute little white dog was in the middle of the road. I stopped the car, kids opened the door and the little thing jumped in. We brought it home and Rick had a cow... so we got back in the car and looked for his home. 1hr. later no luck. so we have Scruffy (kids named him) in our possession tonight. We stuck a sign up on the road FOUND DOG and our number... hoping we will get a call. I am not ready for another addition. Kids are in love with him...
Well, only a few more weeks and Nicholas is off to camp. I am anxious, excited and worried for him. I know he will have a great time... but I just worry for him missing us. I know I will miss him. Our family will not be the same without him with us.
well, I have tomorrow off now because of my sicko's... so I am going to go do some bible study that has turned out to be very interesting.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Hi Dad - Happy Fathers day, I LOVE YOU!

Today I was to go over Mary's and help out at the garage sale while she took her kids swimming, but it was raining most of the day so they didn't think it would be that buys where they would need a couple of us there. Hope I made a little money anyway for Duluth. Today I made myself sleep in until 9:30 a.m... It was great, had all the kiddos in my bed with me. Finally I got up and cleaned up the house just a bit because I didn't want to waste my vacation cleaning the normal stuff like I do every day! Then Erica and I started taking down some wall paper in the kitchen. I had to take break to bring Erica to the dr. She has this weird looking Mole on her finger that seems to be changing in color and size, so we took her in to get in cut out and sent to the pathologist. We'll hear something in about 10 days. I got a call from an old neighbor Marie that was having a garage sale tomorrow but wanted me to come over and get first picks, I get alot of Nicholas clothes there... I ended up getting him lot's of jammies, tshirts, a couple pair of jeans, and shorts. Got home made some dinner, and started back up working on taking the wall paper down, ended up taking kitchen down, girls room, and those little sticker things of bears, trees and deer. I can't believe how much better it look with all that down... looks cleaner, not so busy... I am just getting the rooms ready to paint some day.. One day I went to the paint store and picked out all the paint cards for color that I wanted in my house... I found the perfect colors at garage sales and oops paint it has taken me a long time to come up with them all.. but I have them, and now when ever I get some free time I can paint. I didn't have to spend a whole lot of money either! I still have two more days of work off, trying to make the best of them... Maybe tomorrow I will patch up holes and sand? maybe get to taping? Hope weather clears up to give my garage sale stuff a chance to sell! we all are sitting hear watching a movie, Rick is out working in his garage... last night he was out there until 2:00 a.m. working of making shelves. I asked him how he could stay up so late and he said well, there is never enough time to do what needs to get done so I guess I got to cut my sleep... He still got up for work at 6:00 a.m. too. wow, wish I had that ambition. Ok.. gonna go shower..

Well, it's day two with the kids home for summer vacation - we all are still alive! Actually it's gone real good the last two days. I didn't have baby Vyctoria today, so it was a pretty productive day since I was able to run around and get all the laundry done with out having to keep my eye on the baby. The other kids I have are preschoolers and can entertain themselves well. I also hired Erica for this summer, she did a craft with them today, it was really nice.. while she did that, I cleaned up the kitchen from lunch. She must really want to make some money, because she has done awesome the last two days. I should be jumping for joy, I have the next 5 days off! I get to sleep in 4 of the 5 days! I took some time off thinking I would help Mary out with her garage sale since she let me put alot of stuff in the sale. I am ending up only having to help her tomorrow for a couple hours and Friday for the majority of the day. all the money we make we are taking a trip to Duluth in July. Last garage sale we made enough to pay for two nights in a condo, and already bought tickets to see the Blue Angels. We need to make enough to pay for 3 more nights! I am very excited for Duluth, we haven't been there in a few years... last time we were their the kids cried when we were driving away lake Superior... they wanted to stay there forever, that's also the place where Erica lost her very first tooth.. still remember that, we were at the Blue Angels and we where out eating a picnic lunch and her tooth came out, then she dropped in the grass, and she cried forever until we found it. Erica played her second game of Fast Pitch last night they won AGAIN! YIPPY.. and now she already has a tournament this Sat. in Elk River 1 game at 8:00 a.m. and 1 game at 11:00. I am pretty excited for this weekend - dad and mom are camping out at our house... I love when they come here. Well, I specificly got on here to make sure I gave some information about something... now I don't remember what it was! guess I will be back later, if I remember...... or I will write again soon.

It's been a busy last couple days. Friday Erica had year end party with 5 other girls, they had a blast. We did not let them sleep in the tent like they wanted, to worried about falling trees, and storms. They did go outside late into the night and play hide and seek with flash lights, we had a little bon fire for them to burn all their school work... lot's of snacks and pop, they stayed up until 3:00 a.m. I am sure the kids all went home nice and crabby for their folks. Friday during the day I heard many falling tree's, Rick got home from work he found that there were a few down in the path he just cut for us, so he isn't very happy about that. Tonight we went to Allie's Christensen's birthday party. They had a nice little gathering with dinner and bonfire.. we didn't stay for the fire.. To tired from watching the girls the night before.
We are all are here now watching Spiderman 3. and going to hit the hey shortly.

Today went super fast. It was one of my favorite daycare kids last day-Maverick's, so I took him and the 3 other kids to McDonald's for lunch, they had fun playing in the play land, we even had ice cream because they were so well behaved... even my Brooke and the 3.5 month old Vyctoria too!~ Great combination of kids to have. and headed home, didn't even get out of my truck, when my Daycare Licensee pulls up right behind me in my drive way to re-certify me. Of course I was nervous as heck. always wondering what would be out of place, or not done that should be. But it went very well. I actually love this lady, she had me laughing the whole time she was here... I think she was meant to be a comedian. so I am now licensed for another full year. Glad that's over with. I always dread this time of year, I have to remember that she is not hear to view how many toys are laying around, and how much laundry needs to get caught up on... But I feel that is all people see when they step in here... It's hard keeping up with it all. Right now, Brooke and I are the only ones home.. it's weird not having my house full of screaming kids, I am even sitting down! Rick had taken the other 3 out for a little shopping for Erica's big Year end party that she is throwing tomorrow with 8 girls.
well, I am going to go enjoy having a quiet house for a change.

Tonight I am hoping to get home and hit the hay, and read some more of my SB book, so I am going to journal now... Nothing to exciting happen to day... watched 7 kids, Michlyn wiped out on her scooter then got run over by Sidney who was biking behind her... no serious injuries... Today was $1 day Happy Meals at McDonalds... I LOVE Tuesdays! I don't have to cook, for the kids anyway... Did my hour of exercise - got laughed at by all the kids... we listen to High School musical and I danced... crazy Dancing... they got bored and went outside while I danced... I had to keep watch out the window to make sure know one was here. I am sure I looked dang sexy with my fat pants, belt and bandana around my head to catch the sweat!

Tonight taking the older two for haircuts... boy do they need them. Erica has a field trip tomorrow she is very excited for... going to Valley fair, she already mapped out her day going on line checking out all the rides. now she is trying to squeeze $30 bucks out of me for snacks... aahhggg does it never end? she is not even a teenager yet. I guess $30 isn't asking alot considering it's Valley Fair...

So happy to hear we found homes for the last 3 baby kittens. we still have 2 of the not so much babies anymore of the first batch... cute as can be... little gray ones, hoping we can find homes for, we want to keep them together... their twins! Anyone need a couple mouse catchers? boy, do those cats catch too... I have had bunnies,chip monks, moles, mice and today a squirrel brought to my door... I am getting pretty sick of it. Mice and moles would be just fine, but don't come bringing them up to my door! thinking there all cool, and trying to dodge me to get their fresh kill into the house... GROSS! Nicholas actually went around the yard with a plastic bag and picked up remains of tons and tons of creatures. I see little tails, and hands, and even a head.
well, Better go... kids have hair appt.

Erica had her first fast pitch game tonight, I love to watch my kids play. score was 9 to 4 Erica's team (hornets) won! Erica making two of the points. The girls she plays with have all been in fast pitch before, this is Erica's first year and you can just see she is a natural. really! the other girls no not to hit balls if they don't come right to them, Erica doesn't care where the ball is coming from, she'll chase it down and hit it anyway! It was a bit freezing out there tonight, crazy! you can have the central Air on one day, and the next it's freezing and you need the furnace on! today was a busy day of 6 kids. only 4 more days until Erica's out of school party... she invited 8 girls over night to camp out in a tent in the yard... that is the only way I would agree to it is if they spent as little time as possible in my house... when those girls get together, it's worse then a barn full of chickens. Today I signed up to go to Central Lutheran Woman's retreat with the ladies, I am very excited for that! it's always fun to have something to look forward to! Rick had taken a vacation day today, and pretty much finished making the path in the woods on the edges of our property.. It will be pretty cool to go walking thru there, maybe we will have a haunted trail come Halloween! O.k. it's already 9:40, and I am beat... gotta get to bed.
I haven't gotten to reading everyones blog lately! I miss that, seem life gets busier by the day! I want life to SLOW DOWN!!!
goodnight to all.

For my Dad

HI Everyone
Not sure who all even reads my blog, but dad asked me why I can't just write a quick note on what we have been up too. so that is what I am really gonna try doing from now on... so easy to let time slip away... Today - we all slept in until about 9:00, got Erica, Michlyn & Brooke up and we started the day going for a walk with my girls. What a beautiful morning. Today we were to make it a "fun" day since lately all I have been doing is work work work. Ya just can never keep up with every thing... So today we went shopping and got Erica some artificial finger nails that ALL the other girls at school are wearing, we just got done putting those on, they are very short so look actually very nice. Rick has been keeping really busy cleaning out the boarders of our property, he is making a trail for the kids, it will be fun to walk thru, if the skeeters aren't to bad. I bought a new book today called skinny Brithes but without the R. hoping that will give me some motivation. Every day now for about 4 days straight I have done some type of exersize... that's a record for me! would to love those 30lbs before Aug. but more then likely I won't be able too.. But i sure am gonna try. Tomorrow will be Erica's first fast pitch game I am very excited to watch.. Her game is at Meadowvale School at 6:30 p.m. if you can join me... I suppose it's been one busy day, I should get to bed, only 5 more days of school... I am really looking forward to my kids being home with me. I will say that for about a month, then I am ready for them to get back in... :) Summer time we usually try and lighten up the schedule so we can enjoy spending time together and enjoy the beautiful weather playing out doors. tomorrow morning is weigh in day for the skinny britches... can't wait to see hopefully some good results from the work I have put in.
I will try and right most day's just quick little snips so you know what we have been up to...
also, I think it will be really cool to go back years from now and see what we were up too.
until I write again hopefully tomorrow!